Plant labels and maps serve both practical and educational purposes. They support plant recordkeeping, wayfinding, interpretation, and are a requirement for all levels of ArbNet arboretum accreditation. 

ArbNet provides guidance on what information to include on labels, options for materials and label production, digital labeling and mapping options, and tools for integrating labeling into broader collections management systems.

Labeling and Walking Maps

Image of an example label

Label Making Comparison Guide (ArbNet)

Digital Labeling Options (ArbNet)

Graphic Design Software Comparison Guide (ArbNet)

“How Do You Get There? Digital Mapping in a Garden Setting” (Longwood Gardens, Arnold Arboretum, U.S. Botanic Garden – APGA Conf. 2017)

GPS Mapper from Engage By Cell (Cincinnati Nature Center)

Interactive map (Elon University)

Tree walking tour (The Arboretum at Salve Regina University)

Walking tour map (The Arboretum Rhodes College arboretum)

Tree guide walking map (Brookfield Zoo)

Tree trail brochure (Elon University Botanical Garden)

Map and brochure  (Louise W. Moore County Park Arboretum)

Digital Labeling Options

The following web sources create digital plant maps for online display. They can be used by curators and collections managers for online databasing of accessions and plant collections and they can be viewed by visitors on the internet or by using a mobile device. 

A publicly accessible online map of labeled woody plant species is an accepted method towards meeting ArbNet’s Arboretum Accreditation Program labeling requirements.

PlantSoon

Example Arboretum: Draves Arboretum

Cost: None for 25 species

iNaturalist

Example Arboretum: Omni Amelia Island

Cost: None for 25 species

My Maps / Google Maps

Example Arboretum: NC State Arboretum

Cost: None

Hortis

Example Arboretum: Cantigny

Cost: Software cost

IrisBG

Example Arboretum: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Cost: Software cost

GIS (ArcGIS / QGIS)

Example Arboretum: Loomis Chafee Arboretum

Cost: Software cost

Tree Keeper

Example Arboretum: Fort Collins City Park Arboretum

Cost: Software cost

TreePlotter

Example Arboretum: Mary Price Ratrie Arboretum

Cost: Software cost

ArbNet does not endorse any specific product. 

Arboretum Tool Kits

ArbNet’s Arboretum Tool Kits are designed to guide organizations through the ArbNet accreditation process. Each tool kit contains resources specific to unique types of arboreta. 

In each tool kit there is a section on labeling customized specifically for each type of arboretum.

Cemetery Arboretum Tool Kit

City Arboretum Tool Kit

College/University Arboretum Tool Kit

School Arboretum Tool Kit