Powerscourt collection of world timbers

Powerscourt Collection of World Timbers

The Powerscourt Collection of World Timbers includes almost 900 samples of timber from across the world. It is a xylarium collection which is a specialized botanical collection focused on wood (xylem tissue) samples, generally used for wood identification, research and educational purposes.

The Collection

The Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry contains an impressive collection of trees resulting from a planting programme between 1840 and 1890 by the 6^th and 7^th Viscounts of Powerscourt. Planting and interest in tree diversity and timber usage was continued by the 8^th Viscount Powerscourt, Mervyn Wingfield. He created this timber collection during the period 1930 - 1933, partially using timber samples cut from trees grown on the Powerscourt Estate, but also using timber samples of an impressive diversity of tree species from around the world.

The Wingfield family donated the collection to the RDS in 1948, the year following the death of the 8^th Viscount in 1947. It was given to UCD in 1979 on permanent loan.

The collection consists of samples of some of the world’s most important commercial timbers – many of which are today commercially extinct due to over-exploitation and illegal logging. The collection includes a small number of historical specimens (e.g. a sample of an oak beam from St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle dated 1474). Samples from trees grown on UCD’s campus will also be added in future.

The collection is grouped largely according to geographic origin.

Wood and Humanity

Trees are among humanity’s oldest companions, providing shelter, tools, fuel, and inspiration across cultures. From sacred groves to monumental architecture, trees have shaped how societies live, build, and imagine their world. The global timber trade has connected continents for centuries, influencing exploration, colonial expansion, and cultural exchange. However, the story of wood is also a reminder of vulnerability: deforestation, overexploitation, and climate change threaten many of the forests that sustain us.

Today, sustainable forestry and conservation efforts seek to balance human needs with ecological resilience. The Powerscourt Collection preserves more than samples of timber—it reflects the intertwined histories of trees and people, offering a reminder of the enduring bond between humanity and the forests of the world.