UMN Twin Cities Campus Arboretum

The term arboretum (plural: arboreta) derives from the Latin for "a place grown with trees," though modern arboreta may include other woody and herbaceous plants. Arboreta vary widely in size and purpose. They may be used for scientific research, provide opportunities to learn about plants and their roles in natural and designed landscapes, and demonstrate how plant communities enhance our quality of life. Minnesota is home to at least 14 publicly accessible botanical gardens and arboreta, including the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, the University of Minnesota’s premier research arboretum.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus Arboretum takes a broader, more informal approach by viewing the campus itself as a living arboretum. It offers opportunities for students, faculty, staff, neighbors and visitors to explore and learn from the campus landscape. The Campus Arboretum highlights significant trees as well as special plant communities, including rain gardens and restored prairies. It also includes places that are meaningful to the campus community, such as quiet sitting areas or the semi-famous “shoe-tree.” Together, these features can be explored across the campus's accessible green spaces 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Campus Arboretum is intended as a dynamic entity. Students, staff and visitors can nominate trees, plant communities, or special places for inclusion in the ArcGIS StoryMaps that define the Campus Arboretum. Nominations are reviewed by an advisory committee that includes representatives from the student body, faculty, staff, and surrounding neighborhoods. As new features are added, the Campus Arboretum continues to grow along with the living landscape it celebrates.

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