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

  • Wintersweet 236-98*A
  • Manchurian Catalpa 393-2009*A
  • Ozark Witch-hazel 6099*D
  • Snakebark Maple 381-2008*A
  • Wintergreen Barberry 6800*A
  • Dimplecone Fir 12417*A
  • Isodon henryi 593-2010*A
  • Paper Birch 12839*A
  • Cultivar of Bloodtwig Dogwood 394-2007*C
  • Hardy Rubber Tree 14538*A
  • Jack Pine 350-82*C
  • Chimonanthus praecox 236-98-A by Ned Friedman
    Wintersweet 236-98*A
  • Catalpa bungei 393-2009-A by Ned Friedman
    Manchurian Catalpa 393-2009*A
  • Flowers of Hamamelis vernalis 6099-D by Ned Friedman
    Ozark Witch-hazel 6099*D
  • Bark of Acer rufinerve 381-2008-A by Ned Friedman
    Snakebark Maple 381-2008*A
  • Berberis julianae 6800-A by Ned Friedman
    Wintergreen Barberry 6800*A
  • Trunk and basal roots of Abies homolepis var. umbellata 12417-A by Ned Friedman
    Dimplecone Fir 12417*A
  • Isodon henryi 593-2010*A
  • Betula papyrifera 12839-A by Ned Friedman
    Paper Birch 12839*A
  • Cornus sanguinea 'Wisley Form' 394-2007-C by Ned Friedman
    Cultivar of Bloodtwig Dogwood 394-2007*C
  • Eucommia ulmoides 14538-A by Ned Friedman
    Hardy Rubber Tree 14538*A
  • Pinus banksiana 350-82-C by Ned Friedman
    Jack Pine 350-82*C

Featured Event

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What’s New

learn and share as a volunteer, 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,

  • Learn and Share as a Volunteer

    Volunteers are essential to the Arboretum’s educational mission of fostering knowledge and appreciation of life science and the natural world. Register for our orientation session for prospective volunteers on Saturday, February 1 at 10:30am.

    Field Study volunteer training. Photographs by Jon Hetman, Nancy Sableski, Kevin Schofield, and Julie Warsowe.
  • 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