Grove Street Cemetery Arboretum

The Grove Street Cemetery Arboretum has treasured roots in the oldest chartered private cemetery in the United States. Since 1797, the beauty of trees has graced this National Historic Landmark. Inspired by the Rural Cemetery Movement promoting the aesthetics of nature, a wide variety of trees and shrubs were planted by the 1840’s on the 18-acre site. The collection of plants within the Cemetery walls provides a picturesque and serene sanctuary surrounded by Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

The self-guided Arboretum Tour, in the form of a brochure, includes 40 labeled plant specimens along a one-mile path throughout the Cemetery grounds. Visitors can see native trees including Oaks, Maples, Lindens, Dogwoods, Paper Birch, and a venerable Horsechestnut as well as more unusual plant specimens like the “Princeton” American Elm, Dawn Redwood, Southern Magnolia, Goldenraintree, and a Weeping Katsuratree. Road sign names throughout the Cemetery often correspond to the types of trees lining them. The Henry Austin designed Egyptian Revival entrance gate is a famous landmark.