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The Pinetum was created in 1963, under the watchful eye of Major Vernon Daniell, a garden designer from the nearby town of Newmarket.
The original planting included species such as Pinus strobus, P sylvestris, P ponderosa, and Picea omorika, that were planted in no specific order other than the plants looked good where they were placed.
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Barry Jordan - © NT
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Head gardener Richard Ayres recalls that the trees were brought to the site on a trailer towed by Major Daniell’s car, and once unloaded and spread about, there was little adjustment to their arrangement.
Mr. Ayres also recounts the fact of Major Daniell bestowing upon the gardeners lucky enough to plant the small trees, the sum of ten shillings each, probably a good percentage of their weekly pay at that time.
Since the original planting in 1963, the Pinetum has been increased to the east and west, and subsequently, the variety of plants has also increased.
A collection of young Yew trees can be found on both sides of the central path, one group surrounding a lead herm figure of Aesculapius, the Roman god of medicine.
The newest planting is that of a circle of Junipers to the most eastern edge of the Pinetum that gives an impression of the symmetry, and some of the formality of the garden within the Abbey grounds.
To the right of the central path can be seen a close cut Beech hedge, which serves as a backdrop to the Junipers and Yews dominating this side of the path.
A pair of stone obelisks, complete with plinths showing detail of a pattern known as frostwork, stand on either side of the path.
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