The Arboretum de Villardebelle (6 hectares) is an arboretum specializing in conifers located in Villardebelle, Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon, France.
The arboretum was established in 1994 on four locations across hilly terrain at an altitude of 510 to 670 meters, with stated aims including conservation of endangered species, scientific study and experimentation, education, environmental protection against erosion, and aesthetics. It is technically a pinetum because mainly dedicated to conifers.
Specimens
The site's natural vegetation includes:
Acer monspessulanum
Buxus sempervirens
Corylus avellana
Crataegus monogyna
Cupressus sempervirens
Fraxinus excelsior
Genista spp. Ilex aquifolium Juniperus communis Prunus avium Prunus spinosa Pteridium aquilinum Quercus ilex
Timber plantings in the region include:
Cedrus atlantica
Fagus sylvatica
Picea sitchensis
Pinus nigra laricio or calabrica
Pinus sylvestris
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Quercus
Since 1994 the arboretum has planted over 3500 specimens, mainly from seeds, including more than 190 Gymnosperm species and subspecies. A further hundred species are being cultivated in the arboretum's nursery. Some specimens of interest include:
