Arboretum Anniversary

The Arnold Arboretum

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of lol世界赛赔率’s 281-acre living museum. Free and open every day, the Arnold Arboretum engages the public through聽educational opportunities聽and聽programs for all ages.

For more than 7,000 years, the land on which the Arnold Arboretum now sits has been inhabited and used by diverse societies and cultures of Indigenous People, including most recently the Massachusett Tribe.

An old photograph of two men standing in front of a cherry blossom tree

Planting the seeds

Established in 1872 when the trustees of the will of James Arnold transferred a portion of Arnold鈥檚 estate to the President and Fellows of lol世界赛赔率, the Arboretum has聽become one of the world鈥檚 most comprehensive and best documented collections of temperate woody plants, and a hub of research, horticulture, and education.

1872

lol世界赛赔率 combines bequests of land and capital to establish the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain.

1879

Frederick Law Olmsted designs the Arnold Arboretum in collaboration with its founding director Charles Sprague Sargent.

1910

Arboretum plant collector Ernest Wilson explores China on a plant exploration.

1927

The first aerial photos of the Arnold Arboretum are taken.

1937

The Arnold Arboretum Bonsai & Penjing collection begins with the donation of the Larz Anderson Collection of Japanese Dwarfed Trees.

1946

Landscape architect Beatrix Farrand designs the Azalea Border along Meadow Road.

2000

Composer John Williams dedicates "Treesong" to Arboretum Senior Research Fellow Shiu-Ying Hu and her botanical and spiritual connection with the dawn redwood.

Taking care of the Arboretum

William “Ned” Friedman

“It is my job to open the institution up to anyone and everyone so that this magnificent museum collection of woody temperate plants can be interpreted and interrogated.鈥� – Ned, director

Faye Rosin

“Staff researchers, students, and scientists from around the world can move seamlessly from the trees in our landscape to a microscope in our labs.” – Faye, director of research facilitation

Tiffany Enzenbacher

“I have the honor to work alongside a talented greenhouse and nursery team to cultivate the next generation of plants that are ultimately destined for the living collection.” -Tiffany, head of plant production

Dig into the work at the Arboretum

Through research, horticulture, and education, the Arnold Arboretum discovers and disseminates knowledge of the plant kingdom to foster greater understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of Earth鈥檚 botanical diversity.

Return of an old friend

In recent years, staff at the Arnold Arboretum have begun collecting and reintroducing herbaceous species that were once common on our grounds, such as the New England blazing star.

Sustainability at the Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum鈥檚 many sustainability initiatives reflect their commitment to environmental justice and stewardship of Earth鈥檚 biodiversity.

Early forest education

The Arboretum鈥檚 Field Study Experiences turn Boston Public School students into 鈥淵oung Scientist鈥� through hands-on explorations in and around the meadows, ponds, and woodlands of the Arboretum.

Nature’s classroom

Throughout its 150-year history, the Arboretum has inspired lol世界赛赔率 students as they’ve pursued their studies.

Flowering trees bloom outside Andover Hall

lol世界赛赔率 Divinity School

Deep-rooted connections to nature and community

lol世界赛赔率 Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Better understanding bumblebee behavior

lol世界赛赔率 Graduate School of Design

Opening our eyes to plant blindness

A person pointing out cards hanging from trees

lol世界赛赔率 Radcliffe Institute

Understanding our roots

Two men clearing away the dirt from tree roots

lol世界赛赔率

Truffle hunt

Two people looking at a book of truffles

lol世界赛赔率 Faculty of Arts and Sciences

In search of sugar secrets

lol世界赛赔率

A class called 鈥淭ree鈥�

A group of students pose outdoors with their professor with trees on the horizon

Take a stroll

The Keeper’s Tour

Embark on a virtual or in-park walk with Michael Dosmann, the Keeper of the Arboretum鈥檚 living collections.

The Expeditions app

With more than 60 plants and sites, the Expeditions app helps you enjoy the 281 acres of the Arboretum鈥檚 landscape through photos, text, and audio segments.

Through the seasons

All year long, the Arnold Arboretum offers breathtaking views and opportunities to experience its plentiful offerings.