The Wake Forest University Arboretum, situated on 325 acres of managed land on the University’s main campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serves as a dynamic learning space dedicated to education, research, and environmental stewardship. Home to thousands of trees representing over 135 unique species identified to date, the Arboretum blends historical landscape design with modern urban forestry practices and climate resilience. 

Opened in 1956, the University’s Winston-Salem campus holds true to the original master planning of renowned architect Jens Fredrick Larson and features a landscape characterized by its mature Willow Oaks and Southern Magnolias. These specimens, integral to the Larson Plan, are designated as heritage trees. Notably, the Southern Magnolias situated on Manchester Plaza were propagated from seeds sourced from the original campus in Wake Forest, North Carolina. This historic allée represents an iconic and significant botanical feature of the University’s current landscape.

Today, the Arboretum’s collections contain a biodiverse range of tree species that balance the preservation, maintenance, and inclusion of native species, alongside the strategic incorporation of non-native species that are selected for their resilience in the region. The result is the successful introduction of a variety of trees native to North Carolina, including several Oak species, Eastern Redbud cultivars, and a colonizing population of Pawpaws. Other notable native additions to the campus acreage include American Hophornbeam, Shagbark Hickory, Sourwood, Sassafras, Red Mulberry, Sugarberry, and American Hackberry. Guided by a dedicated arboriculture team and supported by an active Campus Tree Advisory Committee, the Arboretum actively fosters environmental awareness and place-based learning opportunities for students, families, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors alike.