Top 150 Picks

They may be found tucked in at the foot of the north side of Hemlock Hill. They blossom a bit later than our lilacs and make a delightful sight with their masses of small flowers in white, pink, red, lavender, and purple.

I also love the witch hazels. Any one and all of them. The magical name, the traditional medicinal properties, and their ability to blossom in the snow. I have always had a bottle of witch hazel in my medicine cabinet if for no other reason but the fragrance.

Lindera's winter color is absolutely sublime in my eye. Its aromatic leaves remain on the plant in a color akin to rich buckskin. It actually glows in winter light when much around it is gray. And, if you look closely, black drupes (fruit) are nestled among the leaves like tiny beads of jet.

I love being able to bring something I found, like a flower or leaf back to Weld Hill and be able to look at it in a different way. Like throwing different pollen grains under a scanning electron microscope. It's an entire secondary world waiting to be seen!

The ancient grove of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) on the slope above Bussey Brook near the Yew (Taxus) collection.

It is the most formal area of the Arboretum with a great density of very diverse plant material. Each terrace has a unique grouping of plants, and walking through this garden will lead you to our bonsai collection. A must-stop on your strolls!

They may be found near the Hunnewell Building, on the State Laboratory slope near Dawson Pond, on the south side of Bussey Hill, and in the Conifer Collection. These large trees are not normally hardy in our New England climate but seeds for these were gathered high in the mountains of Turkey where it is very cool. You can learn more about them here.

I love the sugar maples in the Arboretum. I grew up in the Boston area and there were sugar maples in my neighborhood. When October comes each year, I remember being a little girl and playing in the falling leaves. I remember the feel of the air on those late October afternoons, just before dusk.

As I walk into my office at Weld Hill, there is a tree with leaves that turn red in the Fall. It is a small and great way to start the day.

A favorite plant is the Japanese Umbrella Pine because everyone loves to touch the long, flexible needles that are wondrously waxy. I love to share this plant with children because they've never seen anything like it before.

A favorite tree of mine in the Arboretum is the giant white oak (Quercus alba A) on the Northern slope of Peter's Hill. It is an ancient tree with two massive leads reaching up into the sky and a canopy that is as wide as it is tall. Surrounded by Malus species, it is easily the most prominent tree in this landscape. This tree is a veteran of many natural disturbances such as snow and wind events and has lost several limbs and leads. A large crack has formed between the two main leads threatening the tree's livelihood. As an attempt of preservation the arborist crew myself included pruned this tree to reduce endweight and installed a large Extra High Strength steel cable between the two leads. This was a massive project that spanned across several work days during a cold stretch last February. The views of the city skyline from the canopy of were spectacular. Every day we worked aloft a large cayote napped lazily in patch of sunshine nearby. The cayote was hidden to all the visitors walking on the road below but not to us, we had the bird's eye view.

Some of my favorite plants in the Arboretum are the Eastern prickly pears, or Opuntia humifusa, planted in the rockery (near the oak collection). They have beautiful yellow flowers each year, and layer themselves in as the pads desiccate each winter. They have thrived since planting in 2019 and are easily visible from the main road.

I never realized how unique each lilac species' scent was. I love to bring children to the collection and go on a smell hunt, searching for the right smell descriptor: grandma's perfume, tutti-frutti, lemon, fairy dust, or spice cookies.

The quartet of Colorado blue spruce along Bussey Brook. Like many plants at the Arnold Arboretum, these trees have an esteemed provenance—accessioned in 1874, collected by the person credited with first scientifically documenting the species—yet more than anything, I love these trees because of their sparse and skeletal form. They strike a dramatic pose at all times of year, at all times of day, come rain or come shine.

My favorite place at the Arboretum is the honey locust collection on top of Peter's Hill. It's my favorite view of Boston and the honey locust's thorns are beautiful and dangerous.

The new mobile visitor center is so beautifully designed and decorated. It adds to the landscape visually but also adds to the Arboretum's mission to educate visitors about plants and the environment.

Another favorite of mine, these immense, majestic trees and the sunlight filtered through their lofty branches bring a sense of peace and wonder... an ethereal hangout for exploring, playing, and relaxing. Sitting here it’s hard to believe there is anywhere else in the world.

Despite being a stone's throw away from the Visitor Center, this wetland is one of the wildest places in the Arboretum.

Ericaceous plants are my favorite.

It is a beautiful specimen tree I've long admired through the years. It has the most graceful, twisting form, and its position near the road makes it a handsome beacon for our national collection of maples. It looks wonderful in every season, even in winter when its attractive form takes center stage.

Sometimes when I want to spend a quiet time I go to the White Oak next to the crabapples in Peter's Hill (346-2010*A). Just half way to the top of the hill, this is a guarded spot where I can lay and relax.

The remnants of the foundation of one of Benjamin Bussey's structures on the slope of Bussey Hill is a terrific reminder of the cultural past of this landscape. It also shows us that man's impact on the landscape can, over time, revert back to nature. It's also just a lovely spot of the hill, and is particularly beautiful washed in autumn hues.

This beautiful vista is highlighted by the weeping cherries reflecting off the water. Another sign that summer is in the air.

A 125 year old Catalpa was struck by lightning a few years ago and it unfortunately didn't make it, but it's legacy continues as the main trunk remains as a respite above the Lilac collection. A perfect perch for views over the Lilac Collection, as the Arboretum's contours guide your eyes thru the Legumes and finally to rest on the Bradley Rosaceous Garden.

The remnant of Charles Sprague Sargent's hawthorn collection on the eastern slope of Peters Hill. These small, gnarled trees date to the early 1900s and were collected in the wild by a considerable array of individuals: a telegraph operator, the owner of a general store, a banking and railroad executive, and more.

This plant has dramatic winged back but what makes it particularly interesting is it's sibling plant (1248-79*A) planted right behind it has smooth wingless bark.

Particularly beautiful in the late spring and early autumn, but a great place at any time for seeking solace or thinking through a difficult problem!

This small, informal trail boasts a unique micro climate that favors the growth of moss. It is one of the only places in the Arboretum where mountain laurel and hemlock is regenerating naturally.

It can be found by the stairs leading to the top of Bussey Hill. When I see its vibrant colors, it is a reminder that we are in peak summer, my most cherished season.

I love the beautiful trees, flowers, frogs, fish, everything there.

We started this meadow from scratch two years ago and in mid- to late-summer the abundance of partridge pea, New England aster, goldenrod and common milkweed is buzzing with bees and flitting monarchs.

Visiting the flowering winter-hazels growing in the Centre Street Beds is the perfect spring boost after a long winter.

I love the oak tree that reminds me of growing up and I love the conifer path for the peacefulness in the winter and its surprise color in the spring.

I love the Maple Collection during the fall when the asters and wreath goldenrods are blooming. The last burst of understory color before winter is always beautiful, as are the bumblebees and other pollinating insects gathering nectar and pollen before the season ends.

The North Woods East of the Leventritt Garden is home to many beautiful sugar maples and has perhaps the best fall color in the whole Arboretum. One fall day a fellow arborist and myself were there to safely prune out broken hanging limbs from over the walking path. I was using my trowline (a small diameter cordage with a weighted bag at the end) to install my climbing into the canopy of a sugar maple. When I took my throw, out of a cavity two thirds of the way up the trunk out popped the head of a tiny little screech owl, no taller that eight inches. I assume it just wanted to check out what all the ruckus was about. When it saw that we were not a threat, it proceeded to drift back asleep with it's head still outside of the canopy. This was both adorable and hilarious.

In the Conifer Collection, there are two towering King Boris firs (827-27*A and 827-27*B). They stand next to one another and their long branches reach almost to the ground, creating a cathedral-like effect between them. In September 2020, I got married under those two trees! That area will always be special to me.

The secluded part of Hemlock Hill is a great place to sit and contemplate, or talk with a friend. The trees there are varied and interesting and the rock outcropping is fun to explore.

My favorite tree I've discovered in our expansive landscape is the Asiatic sweetleaf, Symplocos paniculata (1948-80*A), found in the small open field between the lilacs and birches on Bussey Hill. The dark pea-sized berries it produces are a deep blue, reminiscent of a summer evening, when the sky transitions, like a freshly painted watercolor, to a rich blue as the setting sun transects the horizon. They also remind me of the vibrant blues in sometsuke, the blue and white porcelain pottery originating from Japan. Before the berries emerge, the short tree can be easily glanced over, as the unsuspecting beauty and seemingly unnatural blues remain a hidden secret. Come back in different seasons to experience this tree in all its stages.

The bald cypress grove (Taxodium distichum) on Peters Hill.

The area where the Pyrus trees are, next to the Poplar Gate road, is a quiet and sometimes forgotten landfill where to spend a nice time.

I always feel wonderful walking along the path to go to the train station.

I have fond memories of running breathlessly down this corridor to arrive at work on-time. Willow Path takes you from Forest Hills Station into the heart of the Rosaceous and Maple collections, a stark contrast of urban grit and biodiversity.

The mulch path through the conifers that starts at the Carpinus, not Conifer path. It's a magical place, full of cool old trees with crazy forms.

Take a stroll from Centre Street Gate towards the conifers by walking along the mulch path through the hickories (Carya sp.). Start by admiring the unique specimens on offer along Centre Street Beds such as the Osage Orange tree (Malcura pomifera 471-36-B). Then pass under the canopy of the wingnuts (Pterocarya sp.) to emerge in a meadow of wood aster and goldenrod. Finally traverse the final leg tucked between Central Woodland's edge and the evergreen holly collection (Ilex sp.) to meet up with Conifer Path.

My dog's favorite things at the Arboretum are: rolling in lawn fertilizer, squirrels, rabbits, reading the dog mail by the visitor center water fountain, and ending walks with a splash in the stream by the metasequoia grove.

I like walking what we call the Esker (The chip path between the LG and Linden/Zelkova collections). Its just a really cool ridge path with diverse views - formal on one side and informal on the other.

I love to get lost in the evergreens, either in the conifer collection or on hemlock hill. Those areas feel filled with mystery!

The vista walking to Walter Street Gate where the landscape opens up to showcase the conifer collection looming over the multi-hued meadow. It takes my breath away every time.

My favorite place at the arboretum is up on Hemlock Hill. Walking towards Walter street from Beech Path, keep an eye out for a gravel path winding up the hill on the left, hidden by large evergreen branches, that create a living arbor for you to walk through. About halfway down the paved drive on the left, this living "wardrobe to Naria," transcends you to a new and magical world, entirely separate from concrete façade of the city. Follow this path up to just before the top, where there is a small clearing and a stand of thin black birches off to the left. Take care with your footing, but if you approach the edge of the rock outcrop, you are rewarded with a transformative view. Looking down the dark-green moss-covered rock precipice, your eyes catch the reflection of sunlight scintillating off of the babbling Bussey Brook as is gently whispers the sound of flowing water through the silent conifers. The burnt umber forest floor, colored from the soft, squishy carpet of dropped needles, is juxtaposed by the bright green living needles, outlined by the dappled sunlight infiltrating the forest canopy. The longer you let the scene unfold before you, the faster the natural vivid and muted colors blend together, creating an eco-centric masterpiece. Here, more than anywhere else at the arboretum, I feel completely immersed in nature, instantly forgetting I am still in the Boston zip code.

Reminds me of home.

The Arboretum received these plant as seed in 1873 and 1874. Now these magnificent trees tower above you with sweeping branches, some of which touch the ground before turning around and jutting back up towards the sky.

On a warm day I can sit there for hours watching the wildlife and wandering through the beautiful rosaceous collection right there.

Another favorite spot is the small dirt trail on the bank of Bussey Brook as it passes through the Rhododendron Collection. The shade of the hemlocks and moisture from the water always cool the air even on the hottest summer days. Snow on the evergreens and ice on the water is beautiful in winter, especially in the evenings when owls call from the hillsides.

The Pinus bungeana (663-49*C,Lacebark Pine) half way along Conifer Path is an absolute stunner with it's kaleidoscope camouflage coloring and flaking texture for its bark. It's central location in my favorite collection, the Conifers, makes for an intimate and immersive experience amongst the resinous evergreen giants.

Just like a grandparent should not be forced to admit which grandchild is their favorite, no curator (or keeper!) should admit which among some 16,000 plants is theirs. However, today I pick this most charismatic of paperbark maples at the Arboretum, a layer from a Wilson-collected plant supplied in 1925 by Mr. T.A. Havemeyer, of Cedar Hill Nursery, Long Island, NY. Bearing numerous robust stems, this tall tree among the Viburnum collection resembles many of those I saw in the wild in China. It is a great place to sit below, rest your head, and admire the copper-foil bark.

It always makes me think about the ancient Chinese poems where the beautiful, yet almost melancholic, forms of the weeping beeches brought on a unique sensation mixed with romance and a tragic sense of loss. It took me home and reminded again of nature’s magic to transcend space and time.

Being under the canopy and walking the winding hilly path is such an uncommon experience in a city like Boston, and when you reach to summit of the hill you can gaze across the arboretum grounds and see all the way down to Hemlock hill.

It is the walk I take from Weld Hill to Hunnewell. It feels like an escape from the concrete of the city.

For witch hazel admirers and those who love winter flowers (everyone?) check out Hamamelis virginiana 'Mohonk Red' 121-96 (A, B, C). A striking and uncommon red flowering variety of the native witch hazel. Officially discovered in a nature preserve in New Paltz, New York in 1990. Watch for blooms in October- December.

There is nothing like checking in on the three small ponds at the end of Meadow Road to see what flora and fauna might make an appearance. Now that the ponds have been dredged, their surfaces are mirror-like. I love to see reflections at all times of day in the ponds.

These trees are some of the oldest that the Arboretum has to offer. It is powerful to consider that each plant has been watered and cared for every single day, century after century.

. This tree was accessioned in 1886. Looking at this tree makes me wonder about everything it has not only seen, but been through over the many generations it has been standing. To me, this specimen is considered a survivor of the turmoil the Beech collection has faced from Ambrosia Beetle over the years. Yet, it is still has a such a power, positive presence with its huge trunk and silvery -gray, almost elephant - like bark.

The white barked Himalayan birch has the most blindingly white bark I've seen. It is especially stunning in winter, when the sun shines on it against a deep blue sky. As a bonus, it feels chalky when you rub your fingers on the bark - you actually get some white powder on you!

Although this oak was accessioned in 2010, it actually predates the Arboretum's founding. It towers over the collections of crab apples and hawthorns on Peters Hill, has done so for over 150 years. This tree is special to me even though I have walked the Peters Hill circle for a mere 35 years. I watched it hold red-tailed hawks in its branches, applauded our arborist's cabling to secure its large limbs, passed under its shade when expecting my daughter, and touched its course bark to reassure myself of what is important.

The tall trees give it a forest like feel and its high ground provides great views to much of the surrounding area.

A small glass bottle from the early 1900s with 'Bayer' and 'Aspirin' embossed on either side. I found this buried under a Taxus (removed a couple of years ago) to the left of Walter Street gate. This was during the time of my internship here in 2018 working on our team project of updating the gate area. The object may seemed like trash to others, however, it was initially what sparked my interest for the deep seeded history the arboretum has to offer.

I love the ginkgo trees. Their distinctive fan-shaped leaves that turn golden in the fall...so magical and so much history.

I love seeing the hickories in their full golden splendor each fall. One last show before the year ends!

They are a constant reminder of my transitory existence on this earth and that there is peace to be found in the eternal cycles of nature.

You escape the city bustle underneath the tall dense canopy that surrounds you and can enjoy a moment of tranquility.

There's a beautiful witch-hazel right outside my office window in the Hunnewell Building. I didn't know anything about witch-hazels before working here, but I've fallen in love with them!

Prunus x yedoensis forma perpendens is a favorite to drive by every day. Accessioned in 1925, the tree must have some serious mojo, especially for a Prunus. Though it clearly lost it's main leader at some point, the tree has nonetheless soldiered on and just started a new leader. A small umbrella on an old trunk. And hope springs eternal.

Walking through Hemlock Hill on a winter afternoon with the snow crunching underfoot and stillness thick in the air.