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

  • Bosnian Maple 1371-71*A
  • Broadleaf Euonymus 1481-23*A
  • Mountain Magnolia 999-79*A
  • Ginkgo 205-93*D
  • Cutleaf Crabapple 50-2011*B
  • Red Spruce 1369-85*B
  • Linden Viburnum 77-90*B
  • Red Pine 18126*L
  • Seven-son Flower 1549-80*H
  • Bee-bee Tree 126-67*A
  • Northern Red Oak 22888*A
  • Acer opalus ssp. obtusatum 1371-71-A Friedman
    Bosnian Maple 1371-71*A
  • Euonymus latifolius 1481-23-A Friedman
    Broadleaf Euonymus 1481-23*A
  • Oblong red magnolia fruit against green leaves
    Mountain Magnolia 999-79*A
  • Ginkgo biloba 205-93-D Friedman
    Ginkgo 205-93*D
  • Malus toringoides 50-2011-B Friedman
    Cutleaf Crabapple 50-2011*B
  • Picea rubens 1369-85-B Friedman
    Red Spruce 1369-85*B
  • Round red berries against green leaves
    Linden Viburnum 77-90*B
  • View of a pine tree from the bottom up towards a blue sky
    Red Pine 18126*L
  • Heptacodium miconioides 1549-80-H Friedman
    Seven-son Flower 1549-80*H
  • Pink five-lobed fruits against green leaves
    Bee-bee Tree 126-67*A
  • Quercus rubra 22888-A Friedman
    Northern Red Oak 22888*A

Featured Event

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What’s New

entrance improvement project, expeditions : the arboretum’s mobile app, equity, the roslindale gateway path project,

  • 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
  • Expeditions : The Arboretum’s Mobile App

    Explore stories about botany, horticulture, conservation, and Arboretum history through photos, text, and audio segments.

    Expeditions the app of the Arnold Arboretum
  • Equity

    Founded on a set of democratic ideals, the Arnold Arboretum inspires as an enduring landscape dedicated to public access. We are continually reassessing and refining our efforts to make the Arboretum more welcoming to all. It’s a work in progress.

    Visitors at Dawson Pond by Bruce Wilson.
  • 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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Illustration of Franklinia alatamaha by William Bartram
2428-3*A Map it ↗

Franklin Tree

Scientific Name
Franklinia alatamaha

A member of the tea family (Theaceae), Franklin tree sports a showy white flower and striking fall foliage. John Bartram, an early American botanist, recorded his encounter with the elusive plant while exploring southeastern Georgia with his son William in 1765. William later collected seed and propagated the plant, which became extinct in the wild shortly thereafter.

View plant bio
Franklin tree is flower
Illustration of Heptacodium
1549-80*B Map it ↗

Seven Son Flower

Scientific Name
Heptacodium miconioides

A botanist at the Arnold Arboretum officially named and described the seven son flower in 1916. But the species would not be grown in the United States until 1980. This plant was among the first.

View plant bio
Heptacodium at AA
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