The Taylor Park Native Tree Walk and Arboretum is a collaborative partnership between the Hanover County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Hanover County Office.  The arboretum is situated within a 53-acre park located on US Route 54 between the Town of Ashland and the Hanover Courthouse.  Over 27 unique trees and woody shrubs encompass the main campus of the arboretum, 23 of which make up the Virginia Native Tree Walk.  Each of the 27 trees and woody shrubs are labeled and have a QR code which is linked to Hanover Master Gardener website listing a description and fun facts about each of the species. 

The arboretum had its humble beginnings as a 2023 Virginia Cooperative Extension Tree Steward project in collaboration with the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation.  The vision was to create a public tree walk that would encompass existing native trees as well as plantings to increase biodiversity.  You’ll find many interesting native trees and woody shrubs in the arboretum from the Sassafras tree with its twisted trunk to the American Beautyberry, with its late summer vivid purple berry clusters, and the Witch-hazel, known for its spidery, bright yellow blooms from October through December.  Come and join us at the Taylor Park Native Tree Walk and Arboretum and be inspired by nature!