The land that became Bute Park was previously the private estate of the Marquises of Bute. The first collection of trees was planted by Andrew Pettigrew, Head Gardener to the third Marquis, and included big avenues of Limes and Pines. After the Bute family gave the park to the City of Cardiff in 1947, many ornamental and rare trees were planted under the direction of William Nelmes senior, the Director of Parks at the time. Nelmes planted collections of Acer, Crataegus (Thorns), Birches, Elms and ornamental Apples, as well as other unusual species. In the late 1980s further extensive planting was initiated by the City's Arboricultural Officer, Malcolm Frazer, adding to the range of species and renewing some of the earlier plantings. Among the newer collections are Oak, Ash, Hornbeam, Lime and Alder.
Bute Park has now more champion trees than any other municipal park in Britain, and the Bute Park Arboretum contains over 3,000 individually catalogued specimens. The arboretum section of the Bute Park website has further details. The park also has a splendid avenue of Ginkgo bilobas leading from the Castle to the Mews.
There have been three tree numbering schemes in Bute Park. The most recent survey, carried out by Owen Johnson on behalf of the Tree Register, uses small aluminium disks upon which four-digit numbers are stamped. These numbers are in current use and are included in the table below. Previously some trees received orange plastic tags as part of a pre-lottery bid survey. Trees planted by Malcolm Frazer from 1988 onwards have a three-digit number engraved on a small plate to identify them. Where relevant these are listed as "Old tag" in the information about each tree.
The following table lists all current Great Britain and Ireland Champion trees, and some former champions. A few of the Wales Champions and some other notable trees are also included.
A location map has been provided to assist in finding the trees.
| Name | Common Name | Origin | Status | Location | OS Grid | Tag | Place | Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer acuminatum | West Himalaya | Rare Wales Champion 2013 | Maple Lawn, south west edge | ST 17536 77232 | 3060 | Bute Park | |||
| Acer griseum | Paperbark maple | Eastern Asia | SW edge of the Camellia Garden | ST 17608 76940 | 3140 | Bute Park | |||
| Acer henyri | Henry's maple | Central China | Rather rare Wales Champion 2013 | Maple Lawn, east path | ST 17572 77358 | 2859 | Bute Park | ||
| Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' | Fernleaf fullmoon maple | Japan | Rare GB Champion 2013 | Camellia Garden, east | ST 17628 76944 | 3114‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' | 'Shishigashira' Japanese maple | Garden origin | Wales Champion 2004 | Maple lawn, east | ST 17561 77284 | 3045 | Bute Park | ||
| Acer pictum | Mono maple | Japan, China, Korea | Wales Champion 2013 | Maple Lawn, south west corner | ST 17542 77228 | 3061 | Bute Park | ||
| Acer platanoides 'Dissectum' | Cut-leaf Norway maple | Europe, Caucasus | Wales Champion 2013 | Maple Lawn, south east | ST 17549 77309 | 3038‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Acer platanoides 'Rubrum' | Red Norway maple | Europe, Caucasus | Wales Champion 2013 | Maple Lawn, east | ST 17549 77337 | 3018 | Bute Park | ||
| Acer tataricum | Tartar maple | SE Europe, SW Asia | Rather rare GB Champion 2013 | Maple Lawn, centre | ST 17526 77313 | 3027‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Acer x dieckii | Dieck's maple | Garden origin | Glamorgan Champion 2013 | Maple Lawn, east path | ST 17562 77303 | 3037 | Bute Park | ||
| Aesculus x carnea 'Plantierensis'† | Plantieres chestnut | Garden origin | North of castle | ST 17974 76726 | 1694 | Bute Park | |||
| Alnus acuminata subsp. acuminata | Aliso | Central America to Argentina | GB Champion 2013 | Alder group, SW edge | ST 17609 77049 | 2447 | Bute Park | 653 | |
| Alnus fauriei | Miyama alder | Japan | GB Champion 2013 | Alder group | ST 17625 77082 | 2498* | Bute Park | 484 | |
| Alnus hirsuta | Manchurian alder | North east Asia & Japan | Rare | Alder group, west | ST 17620 77042 | 2457 | Bute Park | 478 | |
| Alnus incana 'Aurea' | Golden grey alder | Europe, Caucasus Mountains | Wales Champion 2013 | Alder group, north | ST 17610 77097 | 2476 | Bute Park | 19 | |
| Alnus maximowiczii | Maximowiczi's alder | Japan, Kamchatka, Korea | Rare GB Champion 2013 | Alder group, north | ST17611 77101 | 2477 | Bute Park | ||
| Alnus rhombifolia | White alder | West North America | GB Champion 2013 | Alder group, south | ST 17618 77066 | 2466‡ | Bute Park | 485 | |
| Betula ermanii | Erman's birch | North east Asia | GB Champion 2015 | Blackfriars, north west | ST 17759 76709 | 2042 | Bute Park | ||
| Betula 'Fetisowii' | Central Asian hybrid birch | Central Asia | GB Champion 2015 | Blackfriars, north west | ST 17769 76749 | 2118 | Bute Park | ||
| Carpinus betulus 'Columnaris' | Common hornbeam 'Columnaris' | Europe, Asia Minor | GB Champion 2013 | Blackweir woodland south, east edge | ST 17437 77359 | 2895‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Catalpa x erubescens 'J.C.Teas' | Hybrid bean | Garden origin | Wales Champion 2013 | Old Mans Wood west, north | ST 17702 76799 | 2074 | Bute Park | ||
| Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum' | Weeping katsura tree | Japan & China | Rare Wales Champion 2013 | Near river bank, south of Millennium Bridge | ST 17701 76696 | 3288 | Bute Park | 196 | |
| Corylus colurna | Turkish hazel | SE Europe & SW Asia | SW edge of the Camellia Garden | ST 17607 76961 | 3136‡ | Bute Park | |||
| Crataegus caucasica | Caucasus | Very rare Wales Champion 2016 | Hawthorn group, south | ST 17606 77352 | 2757‡ | Bute Park | 360 | ||
| Crataegus crus-galli | Cockspur thorn | NE North America | Rather rare | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17582 77430 | 2716‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Crataegus douglasii | Black hawthorn | West North America | Rare Wales Champion 2013 | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17567 77431 | 2715 | Bute Park | ||
| Crataegus durobrivensis | North America | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17597 77390 | 2739 | Bute Park | 505 | |||
| Crataegus heldreichii | Balkans | GB Champion 2013 | Hawthorn group, south | ST 17621 77351 | 2762 | Bute Park | 162 | ||
| Crataegus laevigata 'Aurea' | Midland hawthorn 'Aurea' | North West & Central Europe | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17589 77393 | 2733‡ | Bute Park | |||
| Crataegus laevigata 'Masekii' | Midland hawthorn 'Masekii' | North West & Central Europe | Rare | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17612 77382 | 2744 | Bute Park | 502 | |
| Crataegus laevigata 'Masekii' | Midland hawthorn 'Masekii' | North West & Central Europe | Rare Wales Champion 2005 | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17585 77398 | 2724 | Bute Park | ||
| Crataegus laevigata 'Plena' | Midland hawthorn 'Plena' | North West & Central Europe | Wales Champion 2005 | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17587 77401 | 2720‡ | Bute Park | 148 | |
| Crataegus laevigata 'Rosea' | Midland hawthorn 'Rosea' | North West & Central Europe | Wales Champion 2005 | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17589 77387 | 2736 | Bute Park | 151 | |
| Crataegus meyeri | Hawthorn | Caucasus | Glamorgan Champion 2005 | Hawthorn group, south, near path | ST 17612 77348 | Bute Park | |||
| Crataegus monogyna 'Pendula Rosea' | Weeping pink thorn | Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia | GB Champion 2013 | Hawthorn group, south | ST 17619 77361 | 2754 | Bute Park | 160 | |
| Crataegus monogyna 'Stricta' | Fastigiate thorn | Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia | Glamorgan Champion 2004 | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17591 77389 | 2732‡ | Bute Park | 153 | |
| Crataegus orientalis #1 | Oriental thorn | Asia Minor, Greece & Crimea | Rather rare GB Champion 2013 | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17600 77432 | 2711‡ | Bute Park | 144 | |
| Crataegus orientalis #2 | Oriental thorn | Asia Minor, Greece & Crimea | Rather rare | Hawthorn group, south | ST 17580 77403 | 2723‡ | Bute Park | 253 | |
| Crataegus orientalis #3 | Oriental thorn | Asia Minor, Greece & Crimea | Rather rare | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17627 77393 | 2742‡ | Bute Park | 503 | |
| Crataegus orientalis var sanguinea† | Oriental thorn | Greece & Ukraine | Rather rare Glamorgan Champion 2013 | Hawthorn group, south | ST 17637 77353 | 2767 | Bute Park | 163 | |
| Crataegus pentagyna | Hawthorn | South east Europe | Very rare | Hawthorn group. south, near path | ST17606 77357 | 2756‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia' | Cherry leaved hawthorn | East North America | Wales Champion 2013 | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17598 77371 | 2746 | Bute Park | ||
| Crataegus phaenopyrum | Washington thorn | South east USA | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17596 77403 | 2725 | Bute Park | 252 | ||
| Crataegus pinnatifida var. major | Large-leaved thorn | North China | Rather rare | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17578 77411 | 2721‡ | Bute Park | 250 | |
| Crataegus punctata | Spotted thorn | East North America | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17605 77389 | 2740‡ | Bute Park | 504 | ||
| Crataegus spp #1 | Hawthorn | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17609 77366 | Bute Park | |||||
| Crataegus spp #2 | Hawthorn | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17581 77445 | 2708 | Bute Park | 376 | |||
| Crataegus spp #3 | Hawthorn | Hawthorn group, far north | ST 17561 77464 | Bute Park | |||||
| Crataegus tanacetifolia | Tansy-leaved hawthorn | South West Asia | Rather rare | Hawthorn group, south | ST 17639 77377 | 2751‡ | Bute Park | 347 | |
| Crataegus x grignonensis | Grignon's thorn | Garden origin | Rather rare Wales Champion 2004 | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17616 77375 | 2747‡ | Bute Park | 159 | |
| Crataegus x lavallei 'Carrierei' #1† | Hybrid cockspur thorn | Garden origin | Hawthorn group, north east end | ST 17586 77445 | Bute Park | ||||
| Crataegus x lavallei 'Carrierei' #2† | Hybrid cockspur thorn | Garden origin | Wales Champion 2004 | Hawthorn group, north east end | ST 17581 77419 | Bute Park | |||
| Crataegus x sinaica† | Azarola thorn | Middle East | GB Champion 2013 | Hawthorn group, mid | ST 17614 77397 | 2741 | Bute Park | 155 | |
| Cupressus macrocarpa 'Donard Gold' | Monterey cypress 'Donard Gold' | USA | Wales Champion 2004 | Apple group | ST 17774 77025 | 2375 | Bute Park | ||
| Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana | Pocket-handkerchief tree | Central China | Wales Champion 2013 | Camellia Garden | ST 17616 77003 | 3127‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Fagus sylvatica | Common beech | Europe | Old Mans Wood south, west edge | ST 17734 76758 | 2056 | Bute Park | |||
| Fraxinus americana 'Autumn Purple' | White ash | East North America | Blackweir playing field, east edge | ST 17546 77468 | 2683 | Bute Park | |||
| Fraxinus excelsior 'Jaspidea'† | Golden ash | Europe & Caucasus | Glamorgan Champion 2013 | Southern woodland east, west by path | ST 17836 76528 | 1788 | Bute Park | ||
| Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood' | Raywood ash | S. Europe & N. Africa | Blackweir playing field, east edge | ST 17547 77452 | 2682‡ | Bute Park | |||
| Ginkgo biloba | Maidenhair tree | China | Sunken Lawn, north east | ST 17736 77084 | 2416 | Bute Park | |||
| Ginkgo biloba | Maidenhair tree | China | Ginkgo avenue, running north from the castle | ST 17995 76737 | Bute Park | ||||
| Ilex aquifolium 'Crispa' | Curled holly | Garden origin | Rare GB Champion 2013 | Blackweir playing fields, north east | ST 17412 77827 | 3888‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Ilex aquifolium 'Flavescens' | Moonlight holly | Garden origin | Wales Champion 2004 | Blackweir woodland south, mid | ST 17437 77359 | 2935 | Bute Park | ||
| Ilex perado | Madeira holly | Madeira | Blackweir playing fields, north east | ST 17446 77802 | 3890 | Bute Park | |||
| Ilex x altaclerensis 'Nigrescens' | Highclere holly | Garden origin | GB Champion 2013 | Southern woodland east, west by path junction | ST 17828 76566 | 1804‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Ilex x altaclerensis 'Nigrescens' | Highclere holly | Garden origin | GB Champion 2013 | North west of Blackfriars site | ST 17749 76742 | 2019‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Juglans cinerea | Butternut | East North America | Rather rare Wales Champion 2013 | Coopers Field, north east of Blackfriars | ST 17803 76777 | 2009 | Bute Park | ||
| Juglans nigra | Black walnut | East North America | Old Mans Wood east, towards north | ST 17708 76863 | 3243‡ | Bute Park | |||
| Larix kaempferi 'Pendula' | Weeping Japanese larch | Japan | Rare | Blackweir woodland north | ST 17241 77892 | 3876‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Magnolia campbellii | Campbell's magnolia | Himalaya & SW China | Apples group, east edge | ST 17782 77013 | 2373 | Bute Park | |||
| Magnolia kobus | Kobushi | Japan | Rather rare | In woodland east of Camellia Garden | ST 17658 76916 | 2346 | Bute Park | ||
| Magnolia tripetala | Umbrella tree | East USA | Rare Wales Champion 2016 | Southern woodland east, near Castle | ST 17929 76533 | 1637§ | Bute Park | ||
| Magnolia tripetala | Umbrella tree | East USA | Rare Wales Champion 2016 | Southern woodland east, near Castle | ST 17899 76487 | 1751§ | Bute Park | ||
| Malus 'Cheltenham' | Cheltenham crab | Garden origin | GB Champion 2015 | Apple group, north | ST 17763 77021 | 2371 | Bute Park | ||
| Malus 'Chilko' | Chilko crab | Canada | GB Champion 2013 | Apple group, east by canal | ST 17816 77057 | 1952 | Bute Park | ||
| Malus hupehensis | Hupeh crab | China | Glamorgan Champion 2013 | Apple group, mid by path | ST 17780 77128 | 2429 | Bute Park | ||
| Malus scheideckeri 'Excellenz Theil' | Excellenz Theil crab | Garden origin | GB Champion 2015 | Apple group, west edge | ST 17762 77035 | 2382 | Bute Park | ||
| Malus toringo | Siebold's crab | Japan | Rather rare | Apple group, east edge | ST 17798 77056 | 1951 | Bute Park | ||
| Malus 'Van Eseltine' | Garden origin | Wales Champion 2016 | Apple group, east edge | ST 17803 77051 | 1952‡ | Bute Park | 106 | ||
| Malus x moerlandsii 'Liset' | Liset crab apple | Garden origin | Apple group, mid | ST 17770 77048 | 2381 | Bute Park | 381 | ||
| Malus x purpurea | Purple crab | Garden origin | Apple group, mid | ST 17777 77047 | 2380 | Bute Park | |||
| Malus x purpurea 'Oporto' | Oporto crab | Garden origin | GB Champion 2016 | Apple group, mid | ST 17777 77082 | 2409 | Bute Park | ||
| Malus x sublobata | Garden origin | GB Champion 2013 | Apple group, mid by path | ST 17781 77115 | 2428 | Bute Park | |||
| Mespilus germanica | Medlar | S.E. Europe to Central Asia | Hawthorn group, north | ST 17580 77382 | 2735 | Bute Park | |||
| Metasequoia glyptostroboides | Dawn redwood | Central China | Sunken Lawn, south | ST 17752 76976 | 2310 | Bute Park | |||
| Ostrya carpinifolia | Hop hornbeam | South east Europe | Wales Champion 2013 | Middle of Sorbus group | ST 17676 77233 | 2617 | Bute Park | ||
| Paulownia tomentosa | Foxglove tree | China | GB Champion 2013 | Old Mans Wood east | ST 76852 17655 | 2196 | Bute Park | ||
| Phellodendron chinense | Chinese cork tree | Central China | Rare GB Champion 2013 | Camellia Garden, north | ST 17621 76973 | 3120‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki | Kusamaki | Chine & Japan | Rare Wales Champion 2015 | Old Mans Wood east, north edge | ST 17705 76894 | 2302 | Bute Park | 231 | |
| Populus yunnanensis | Yunnan poplar | SW China | Rare GB Champion 2013 | Southern woodland west, north by river | ST 17734 76618 | 3259 | Bute Park | 441 | |
| Prunus campanulata | Bell-flowered cherry | Japan | GB Champion 2013 | Alder group, north | ST 17615 77097 | 2488 | Bute Park | ||
| Prunus 'Fudan-zakura' | Cherry 'Fudan-zakura' | Garden origin | Rare | Cherry group, south west | ST 17633 77053 | Bute Park | |||
| Prunus 'Hokusai' | Cherry 'Hokusai' | Garden origin | Becoming rare GB Champion 2013 | Old Mans Wood east, east edge | ST 17769 76835 | 2249 | Bute Park | ||
| Prunus padus 'Watereri' | Waterer's bird cherry | Europe | Southern Woodland East | ST 17911 76498 | 1764 | Bute Park | |||
| Prunus 'Sunset boulevard' | Cherry 'Sunset boulevard' | Garden origin | GB Champion 2013 | Cherry group, south | ST 17694 77084 | 2438‡ | Bute Park | 697 | |
| Prunus x fontanesiana† | Southern Europe | GB Champion 2013 | Old Mans Wood west, north | ST 17680 76789 | 2080 | Bute Park | 39 | ||
| Prunus x yedoensis 'Perpendens' | Weeping Yoshino cherry | Garden origin | Cherry group, south west | ST 17625 77048 | 2444 | Bute Park | |||
| Prunus 'Yedo Zakura' | Cherry 'Yedo Zakura' | Garden origin | GB Champion 2005 | Cherry group, mid | ST 17698 77121 | 2535‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Pterocarya fraxinifolia | Caucasian wingnut | Caucasus | Wales Champion 2015 | Coopers Field, north east by canal | ST 17874 76881 | 1911 | Bute Park | ||
| Pterocarya x rehderiana | Hybrid wingnut | Garden origin | GB Champion 2013 | Millenium Bridge | ST 17635 76794 | 3337 | Bute Park | ||
| Pyrus nivalis | Snow pear | Southern Europe | Wales Champion 2013 | Sorbus group | ST 17679 77243 | 2618 | Bute Park | ||
| Quercus cerris #1 | Turkey oak | S. Europe & Asia Minor | Glamorgan Champion 2016 | North end Coopers Field | ST 17810 76949 | Bute Park | |||
| Quercus cerris #2 | Turkey oak | S. Europe & Asia Minor | South edge of sunken lawn | ST 17698 76947 | 2327 | Bute Park | |||
| Quercus cerris 'Marmor star' | Marmor Star Turkey oak | Garden origin | GB Champion 2013 | Apple group, south, by canal | ST 17825 76992 | 1971 | Bute Park | 108 | |
| Quercus durifolia | Durango Emory oak | Mexico | GB Champion 2013 | Maple Lawn, centre | ST 17504 77319 | 2987‡ | Bute Park | 318 | |
| Quercus robur 'Salicifolia' | Willow-leaf English oak | Garden origin | GB Champion 2013 | Camellia Garden, east | ST 17637 76946 | 3926‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Sequoiadendron giganteum | Wellingtonia | California | Blackweir woodland north | ST 17194 77913 | 3815 | Bute Park | |||
| Sorbus alnifolia | Alder-leaved whitebeam | East Asia | Sorbus group | ST 17678 77260 | 2625 | Bute Park | 267 | ||
| Sorbus aucuparia 'Cardinal Royal' | Cardinal Royal mountain ash | Europe, West Asia | GB Champion 2013 | Sorbus group, east by path | ST 17693 77256 | 2623 | Bute Park | 55 | |
| Sorbus torminalis | Wild service tree | Europe, Asia Minor & North Africa | Wales Champion 2004 | Small lawn NE of walled garden | ST 17606 77322 | 2675 | Bute Park | ||
| Sorbus 'Wilfrid Fox' | Wilfrid Fox whitebeam | Garden origin | Wales Champion 2015 | Blackweir woodland south, mid | ST 17430 77379 | 2930 | Bute Park | ||
| Tilia maximowicziana | Maximowiczi's lime | North Japan | Wales Champion 2013 | Mews woodland, west, by canal | ST 17940 76786 | 1616‡ | Bute Park | ||
| Tilia platyphyllos 'Laciniata' | Cut-leaved lime | Europe | Rather rare Wales Champion 2015 | Southern woodland east by Castle | ST 17963 76533 | 1722 | Bute Park | ||
| Tilia tomentosa 'Chelsea Sentinel' | Chinese sentinel lime | GB Champion 2013 | Old Mans Wood east, north | ST 17723 76888 | 2262 | Bute Park | 40 | ||
| Ulmus 'Lobel' | Lobel elm | Research origin | Wales Champion 2013 | Sunken Lawn, south | ST 17740 76957 | 2312 | Bute Park | 349 | |
| Ulmus pumila 'Aurescens' | Golden Siberian elm | North Asia | Just two known GB Champion 2013 | Coopers Field, east by canal | ST 17890 76851 | 1907‡ | Bute Park |