Fota Arboretum is primarily a collection of good trees and shrubs. The tradition of planting exotic trees and shrubs started by James Hugh Smith-Barry still continues, extending the history of tree planting in the Gardens over 150 years. James Hugh Smith-Barry showed considerable sensitivity in the initial planting of the Arboretum as the trees are well spaced, usually as single specimens in a park-like setting. The generous spacing, allowing the trees to grow large and enabling the form of individual plants to be appreciated is one of the features contributing to the international reputation of the Arboretum.

Fota is also noteworthy for the large number of tender plants that flourish there, such as tree ferns, Pinus montezumae and dwarf fan palm (Chamaerops humilis). Several factors distinguish Fota from other large gardens in Ireland, the most significant of these factors are: the age of the Gardens, the availability of good historical records due, in part, to the fact that the Gardens were managed with little interruption since their establishment, the wide spacing of the plants and the number of large trees that have reached their full stature. Read more ….