Starting an Arboretum
Guidance, tools, and inspiration for launching an arboretum.
An arboretum is more than a collection of trees. Arboreta are vital green spaces that promote environmental awareness, support biodiversity, and serve as living laboratories for education, conservation, and community engagement around nature.
Whether your vision is large or small, ArbNet can guide you through the process of establishing an arboretum with purpose and professionalism.
Explore the tools and resources below for guidance to get your arboretum started on collections development, governance, planning, and management, along with ArbNet’s specialized Arboretum Tool Kits tailored specially for schools, cities, cemeteries, and university or college campuses.
Defining and Developing an Arboretum
What is an Arboretum? (The Morton Arboretum)
What is an Arboretum? (Arborist News, Paist and Luley, 2019)
Modern Arboreta: What is the 21st Century Arboretum? (ArbNet, Brennan, 2024)
Introduction to ArbNet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming an Accredited Arboretum (ArbNet presentation, Copic, 2022)
Questions to Ask in Developing the Key Purpose and Focus of the Garden (excerpt from Rakow and Lee, 2011)
Guide and Toolkit for New and Emerging Public Gardens (Longwood Fellows)
Collections Development
How to Plant a Tree Video Tutorial (Iowa DNR)
Sample Collections Policy (ArbNet)
Collection Development Planning Guide (American Public Gardens Association)
Characteristics of an Exemplary Living Plant Collection (Excerpt from Rakow and Lee, 2011)
List of Required Information for Plant Records (Excerpt from Rakow and Lee, 2011)
Collections Software Comparison (ArbNet)
Digital Labeling Options (ArbNet)
Image of an Example Plant Label (The Morton Arboretum)
BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing, and Managing Botanic Gardens
Botanic Gardens Conservation International developed its Manual on Planning, Developing, and Managing Botanic Gardens in response to the growing demand for up-to-date guidance.
Intended as a flexible, evolving resource, the manual offers practical insights and global case studies for both new and established gardens navigating environmental and organizational challenges.
Chapter 1—Planning and Implementing Botanic Garden Design Projects
Chapter 2—Governance Models, Human and Financial Resources Development
Chapter 3—No Plant Collection without a Strategy or Policy
Chapter 4—The Plant Collection in the International Policy Context
Chapter 5—Collection Record Management Systems
ArbNet Arboretum Tool Kits
ArbNet’s Arboretum Tool Kits provide practical advice tailored to specific kinds of organizations. The tool kits offer examples from peer institutions, resources catered to each type, and recommended practices that align with your institution’s context.
Cemetery Arboretum Tool Kit (ArbNet)
City Arboretum Tool Kit (ArbNet)
School Arboretum Tool Kit (ArbNet)
Contact ArbNet
For guidance on starting an arboretum and gaining official accreditation through ArbNet, contact ArbNet staff at arbnet@mortonarb.org.
More Resources for Arboreta
Explore Arboreta around the World
Arboretum Accreditation Program
Contact ArbNet