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The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is a museum of trees teaching the world about plants.

  • Caspian Honeylocust 272-72*B
  • Purple Beautyberry 501-90*B
  • Tibetan Barberry 360-92*G
  • Cultivar of Bloodtwig Dogwood 394-2007*C
  • Euonymus hamiltonianus 14576-2*A
  • Cultivar of American Holly 1080-72*A
  • Isodon henryi 593-2010*A
  • Eastern Red Cedar 109-2006*B
  • Liquidambar acalycina 1634-80*A
  • Dawn Redwood 3-48*A
  • Crimean Pine 1038-65*A
  • Linden Viburnum 1804-77*A
  • Caspian Honeylocust 272-72*B
  • 501-90-B Callicarpa dichotoma Schissler
    Purple Beautyberry 501-90*B
  • Berberis thibetica 360-92-G by Danny Schissler
    Tibetan Barberry 360-92*G
  • Cornus sanguinea 'Wisley Form' 394-2007-C by Ned Friedman
    Cultivar of Bloodtwig Dogwood 394-2007*C
  • Euonymus hamiltonianus 14576-2*A
  • Cultivar of American Holly 1080-72*A
  • Isodon henryi 593-2010*A
  • Juniperus virginiana 109-2006-B by Ned Friedman
    Eastern Red Cedar 109-2006*B
  • Liquidambar acalycina 1634-80-A Friedman
    Liquidambar acalycina 1634-80*A
  • Dawn Redwood 3-48*A
  • Crimean Pine 1038-65*A
  • Viburnum dilatatum 1804-77-A Friedman
    Linden Viburnum 1804-77*A

Featured Event

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What’s New

help us cultivate trees and curiosity, apply for research fellowships, awards, and internships, ghost trees: an augmented reality exhibit, june corpse plant bloom, art show: ramble, entrance improvement project, the roslindale gateway path project,

  • Help Us Cultivate Trees and Curiosity

    The Arnold Arboretum operates primarily through past and present philanthropy. Contribute to our annual appeal to help us make a difference in the year ahead.

    Children enjoy hands-on exploration of a branch of pussy willow flowers
  • Apply for Research Fellowships, Awards, and Internships

    We offer fellowships and awards to students, post-doctoral researchers, and professionals of the biological and horticultural sciences.

    Antonio Capuchina-Serrato seated in the laboratory.
  • Ghost Trees: An Augmented Reality Exhibit

    Ghost Trees is an augmented reality art show which celebrates the lives of five iconic Arboretum trees. Artist Sonia Ralston has skillfully recreated these beloved trees as 3-D digital models: visitors can scan a QR code at five signs around the Arboretum and see the trees superimposed on the landscape behind them, experiencing these iconic specimens as they once stood.

    3-D digital model of a beech tree
  • June Corpse Plant Bloom

    Learn about and see a timelapse of the June bloom of our rare titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum), or "corpse plant."

    Dame Judi Stench corpse flower in bloom at the research greenhouses of the Arnold Arboretum
  • Art Show: Ramble

    A new exhibit in the Hunnewell Visitor Center, Ramble features nature paintings from around the world by Esther Garcia Eder.

    Textured painting of five trees with green leaves
  • Entrance Improvement Project

    We are partnering with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates to study and renew six historical entrances to our landscape.

    Street-view concept for possible improvements to the Arborway Gate entrance includes bollards to exclude traffic, planting beds that extend the Arboretum’s character to the street, and creating a space outside the entrance for the public to meet and embark
  • The Roslindale Gateway Path Project

    Improving carbon-free transportation and green space equity in Boston.

    Map of Arnold Arboretum and neighborhood

Stories

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Today's Virtual Walks

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Plants & Collections

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Picea pungens illustration
1476*B Map it ↗

Colorado Blue Spruce

Scientific Name
Picea pungens

This Colorado blue spruce, collected in 1874, shows a clear connection between the Arnold Arboretum and Asa Gray, a celebrated Harvard botanist. The tree is among the oldest plants of known wild origin growing at the Arnold Arboretum. 

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Silhouette of mature spruce.
Illustration of paperbark maple by Charles Faxon
12488*B Map it ↗

Paperbark Maple

Scientific Name
Acer griseum

A remarkable and rare species native to central China, this maple is most known for its striking copper-colored papery bark. Plant collector Ernest Henry Wilson introduced it to North America in 1907. The Arboretum is home to some of the oldest paperbark maples outside of China.

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Paperbark maple
Community

We are associates, fellows, gardeners, horticulturists, educators, and everyone in between.

  • Community Spotlight Darcy Foster, Individual Giving Associate

    I love connecting members and donors with the landscape and the Arboretum’s mission. Together, we can ensure the Arboretum’s dynamic landscape grows in perpetuity.

  • Community Spotlight Camilo Villouta, Putnam Fellow
    Man stands next to tree holding pruners

    There are not many other places where I could study such a diverse group of species. I love having such an exceptional collection next door to the lab, and despite spending so much time in the landscape, I still keep finding wonderful new spots with plants from around the world.

  • Community Spotlight Emily Hitchcock, Greenhouse Gardener
    Woman in greenhouse planting small seedlings

    I am so grateful to come to work every day in a place where so many people come to find joy, relaxation, healing, and learning. Working with seeds and plants in the beginning stages of their lives is a constant reminder of the miraculous and complex life cycles that plants carry out all around us.

  • Community Spotlight Jeffrey Scott Phillips, Assistant Manager of Horticulture
    Horticulturist smiles standing in front of pond

    The Arnold has an incredible history of plant-loving people that I really relate to. I feel lucky to work here and look forward to it every day.

  • Community Spotlight Sarah Nechamen, Manager of Adult Programming and Events
    Sarah Nechamen portrait

    I love creating programs that get people excited about plants and the Arboretum and seeing the participants’ reactions first-hand. When someone feels really inspired, or excited, or awestruck because of a program I planned, there’s no better feeling.

Student work by Sophie Geller, Dana Kash, Mary Miller