Sixty trees. That’s how it began. Åkeshovs Arboretum in Bromma. A rectangular haven near the Åkeshov metro station. It was 1998 Stockholm’s year as European Capital of Culture. The then city gardener Ulf Lindahl had a vision. He wanted a place for learning. A place to celebrate nature’s beauty.
Åkeshovs Arboretum wasn’t born from the wild. It’s a meticulously crafted landscape. LAND Arkitektur designed a winding path. The path leads you through diverse areas. Each area showcases different tree species. Think Björkbrynet the birch grove. Or Ängen the meadow. Then there’s Boksalen the beech hall. Körsbärslunden the cherry orchard. Lövskogen the deciduous forest and finally Barrskogen the coniferous forest.
Each tree has a sign. The sign tells you its Swedish and Latin name. It reveals the tree’s family and origin. This is a park for discovery. It’s a place where you can learn about the natural world. You can learn about the trees themselves. You can even encounter the “talking trees” via QR codes. Listen to their stories.
But Åkeshovs Arboretum is more than just a collection of trees. It’s a haven of biodiversity. Over 64 tree species thrive here. Many are native to Sweden. Some are exotics. Exotics are woody plants not naturally found in Sweden. They were brought here by humans.
The arboretum also boasts fauna depots. These are collections of logs and dead wood. They support a richer insect life. They boost the overall biodiversity. Dead trees are left to decay. This nourishes the ecosystem. Beetles for example need decaying trees to survive. Their larvae are food for woodpeckers.
Åkeshovs Arboretum has been carefully nurtured. In 2019-2021 it underwent a significant renovation. The goal was accessibility and education. It’s a park. It’s also a gateway to Judarskogen nature reserve. Many trees were lost over time. Some were damaged or died. Others were outcompeted. The renovation added new trees. It added benches and weather protection.
On September 7 2021 the renovated Åkeshovs Arboretum was reinaugurated. City gardener Elisabeth Rosenquist Saidac was present. So were Bromma’s council chair Johan Paccamonti and Daniel Helldén the traffic commissioner. Helldén planted the final tree. A Japanese hemlock a member of the pine family.
The park is more than just beautiful. It’s a testament to thoughtful planning. It’s a place where nature and human design work together. Explore Åkeshovs Arboretum. Discover its quiet beauty. Learn its fascinating story. Enjoy its unique atmosphere. Remember the sixty trees. Remember the vision. Remember the ongoing evolution of this green urban jewel.