Tree Collections

Resources related to establishing and managing collections of trees.

Tree and woody plant collections are the heart of every arboretum. Tree collections require thoughtful planning, expert care, and ongoing documentation.

ArbNet provides practical resources to guide every aspect of managing a tree collection, from writing collections policies, to propagating and curating plants, as well as labeling, mapping, and maintaining accurate plant databases.

Whether you’re building a new collection or enhancing a historic landscape, these resources support strategic, science-based tree care rooted in long-term impact.

Collections Policies

Collections Policy Guides and Information

Sample Collections Policy (ArbNet)

Collections Policy Overview (ArbNet)

No Plant Collection without a Strategy or Policy (Chapter 3 of Botanic Gardens Conservation International’s Manual on Planning, Developing, and Managing Botanic Gardens)

Purpose and Trends in Exchange of Plant Material Between Botanic Gardens (Botanic Gardens Conservation International Technical Review)

Collections Policy Examples

Arboretum Plant Collections Policy (Connecticut College)

Collections Management Plan (Newport Arboretum)

Collections Policy (United States Capitol Grounds)

Cemetery Collections Policy (Arlington National Cemetery)

Collections Summary (Arlington National Cemetery)

Collections Management Manual (Moore Farms Botanical Gardens)

Living Collections Management Policy (Springfield Botanical Gardens)

Tree Care Plan (University of Pennsylvania)

Tree Care Plan (Forest Hill Cemetery)

Tree Care Master Plan (Columbia Gardens Cemetery)

Arboriculture Procedures Manual (Oak Park)

Collections Master Plan Summary (The Morton Arboretum)

Plant Collections Policy Table of Contents (The Morton Arboretum)

Curation

Plant Collection Toolkit (American Public Gardens Association)

Characteristics of an Exemplary Living Plant Collection (ArbNet)

Curation and Management Session (ArbNet Conference 2021)

The Ins & Outs of Plant Records Workshop (ArbNet Conference 2021)

Plant Inventory Operations Manual (The Arnold Arboretum)

Standards of Excellence in Plant Collections Management (American Public Gardens Association)

Clean Collections: The Front Lines of Pest and Pathogen Mitigation (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Longwood Gardens— American Public Gardens Association Conference, 2018)

Safeguarding Our Tree Collections: Gardens Coordinate to Manage Diversity” (Griffith et al., American Public Gardens Association Conference, 2018)

Standards of Excellence in Plant Collections Management (American Public Gardens Association)

GRIN-U—Online learning for plant genetic resources conservation and use, aimed at helping genebank staff gain and enhance their skills in these areas. Information is also provided to guide plant breeders and geneticists in uncovering gene functions and incorporating useful genes into new varieties.

Tree Inventory Analysis Report (Green-Wood Cemetery)

Landscape Master Plan Appendix (Green-Wood Cemetery)

Field Techniques Used by Missouri Botanical Garden for Preparing Botanical Specimens— These notes have been compiled to aid people in collecting and preparing high quality botanical specimens more effectively. In some cases, such as field book size, rather than make a recommendation, the advantages and disadvantages of different options are discussed.

Biological Nomenclature (Hagley Museum and Library)

Collections Management

Database Management

Documenting Your Collections Overview (ArbNet)

American Public Gardens Association Application Process for ArcGIS for Public Gardens (ESRI)

List of Required Information for Plant Records (ArbNet)

Collections Software Comparison (ArbNet)

Modernizing Plant Records Management (U.S. National Park Service and Olmsted Center): An overview and evaluation of digital recordkeeping tools.

Example Collections Species Listing (Providence Arboretum)

Introduction and Advanced Collection Management with IrisBG (American Public Gardens Association Conference, 2018)

Introduction to IrisBG

Advanced Collection Management

CRM, POS, OMG! Navigating Data and Systems to realize Your Institution’s Fuller Potential (Conley et al. ,American Public Gardens Association Conference, 2018)

Collections and Database Management Software

TreePlotter (PlanIT Geo)

Useful Databases

GardenSearch (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)

Global Tree Search (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants

International Plant Names Index (International Plant Names Index)

Identification Keys (Arboretum Wespelaar)

Illustrated taxa (Arboretum Wespelaar)

Morton Register of Arboreta (ArbNet)

PlantSearch (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

PlantSnap: Comprehensive and accurate plant identification app (endorsed by Botanic Gardens Conservation International and American Public Gardens Association).

Plants of the World Online (POWO) Kew

Uploading Collections Data to Plant Search: Tutorial: YouTube video

The Plant List

ThreatSearch (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

Trees and Shrubs Online (International Dendrology Society)

The World Flora Online (An online flora of all known plants)

World List of Cycads