Gardens Received Notable Recognition — Level I Arboretum

Last fall, the Gardens proudly announced its achievement of becoming a Level I arboretum, a prestigious distinction by ArbNet, a global arboretum registry.

But what exactly is an arboretum, and why should we celebrate this accomplishment? Simply put, an arboretum is a dedicated area showcasing a diverse range of trees and shrubs, akin to an outdoor museum of trees. This accolade places us among esteemed institutions like the New York Botanical Garden, Woodlawn Cemetery, Madison Square Park Conservancy, Cornell Botanic Gardens, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden—a significant accomplishment considering there are fewer than 700 recognized arboreta worldwide!

As of April 2024, there are 393 Level I arboreta, 212 Level II, and only 44 and 43 respectively for Level III and IV. Being part of this esteemed organization grants the Gardens access to cutting-edge information on garden disease and pest management, planting techniques, design insights, and invaluable networking opportunities within the arboretum community.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Gardens’ Tree Committee, we have achieved this recognition by successfully meeting the detailed qualifying criteria, including the application process, creating a comprehensive tree inventory, and developing a professional maintenance plan. Our ongoing success in maintaining this recognition is supported by our external consultant, Liz Sargent HLA, whose firm assisted in crafting our cultural landscape report (CLR) and treatment plan. They continue to guide the Tree Committee in its tree selection and placement, in collaboration with Almstead Tree, Shrub, and Lawn Care.  Our “treeplotter” inventory system identified 80 different species within our grounds, while Level II arboretum status requires 100 species. While we aspire to that milestone, let's take pride in our current national recognition.

For more information, visit ArbNet.org.