Like trees? Like learning about trees? Head this way.
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Jamaica Plain offers free guided tours April through November. The tours are about an hour long and focus on the history of the Arboretum and the various trees and shrubbery.
Founded in 1872, this is the oldest arboretum in North American and one of the leading centers for the study of wooded plants. It is part of the Emerald Necklace designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. The grounds are always free to visit from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. The Hunnewell Visitor Center is open during the day and offers background information and maps.
I’ll admit, the tour wasn’t all that exciting. The guide gives a little bit of background about the Arboretum itself, but most of the tour is in depth information on the types of trees. I’m not sure what I was expecting but…I’m not a horticulturalist, nor an arborist, and I was kind of bored. Though it was a beautiful day to walk around the grounds. I met up with new Boston transplant Katie and we left the tour and walked around and searched for the bonsai collection (which turned out to be closed).
Overall, I’d recommend the Arboretum for a peaceful place to walk and get away from the city. The tour is recommended to those who are really into trees.
Fun Facts: That big fat tree and the tiny skinny tree are the same age!
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