The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is free and open every day. All programs are free. Programs listed as Members Only are exclusive opportunities for current members of the Arnold Arboretum. Join or renew your membership to register for member-only programs.
Hunnewell Visitor Center
125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130
Hours 10:00am–4:00pm daily
BECOME A MEMBER
The Arnold Arboretum is funded by members just like you.
A public-private partnership between the City of Boston and Harvard University, the Arnold Arboretum maintains its own operating budget. As Boston’s premier museum of trees and one of Frederick Law Olmsted’s best preserved landscapes, the Arboretum stays vibrant thanks to memberships and gifts. Become a member and partner in our work to collect, study, and conserve plants here and around the world. View membership levels and benefits and join us today!
Gift Memberships—
FEATURED MEMBER BENEFIT
Discounts in the Visitor Center
Our members enjoy a 15% discount on Arnold Arboretum merchandise for sale in the Hunnewell Visitor Center. Our ever-expanding selection of Arboretum branded clothing, water bottles, stickers, and other items make the perfect gifts for nature-loving family and friends—or enticing additions to your own collection.
Share your love of trees!
Want to give a friend or family member a thoughtful gift that benefits the natural world? Give the gift of membership at the Arnold Arboretum! Your gift recipient can enjoy a year of benefits and access to exclusive programming, as well as the good feeling that comes from supporting biodiversity, education, and the landscape of Boston’s tree museum and urban oasis.
HORTICULTURE & BOTANY
Guided Tours
Join us for a 60-minute tour through the Arboretum! View seasonal plant highlights and learn about Arboretum history from a trained docent. Saturdays and Sundays. Visit the tour calendar for current tour schedule. No pre-registration required. This tour begins at the Hunnewell Building.
Conservation in a Changing World
Part of the mission of the Arnold Arboretum is stewardship of the earth’s botanical diversity and its essential value to humankind. This one hour tour through the landscape will highlight important Arboretum historical conservation efforts that have preserved distinct native and exotic species, and current efforts in our living collections to mitigate habitat disruption and climate impact. Learn about plant expeditions to preserve species in the face of climate change and new pathogens, research initiatives, as well as the Arboretum’s green initiatives and local collaborations to improve our urban canopy.
December 3, 1:30–2:30pm
Vicki Amalfitano, docent
This program begins at the Hunnewell Building.
Barking Up The Right Tree
What is there to see at the Arboretum after all of the leaves have fallen and before spring flowers start to bloom? Bark! Shaggy bark, mottled bark, striped bark: the Arboretum has it all. Join Horticulturist Rachel Lawlor to see some beautiful bark highlights, learn how to identify some trees by their bark, and learn why that bark looks the way it does.
December 6, 12:00–1:00pm January 11, 2026, 12:00–1:00pm Rachel Lawlor, Horticulturist Members Only
This program begins at the end of the Dana Greenhouse driveway on Bussey Hill Road.
Flower Visitors at the Arboretum:
Can Honeybees and Native Pollinators Co-Exist?
Most of us know honeybees for the delicious honey they create (and the occasional sting!) But for scientists, the non-native honeybee represents a potential threat to our native bumblebees and butterflies. Biologty Professor Dr. Richard Primack has been studying these insects at the Arboretum, observing flower visitors at over 600 plant species to determine if honeybees and native pollinators can co-exist. Just us for a research talk and discover the results of this years-long investigation.
December 7, 12:00–1:15pm
Dr. Richard Primack, Professor of Biology
This program takes place in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall.
Growing Plants from Hardwood Cuttings
Hardwood cuttings are one of the many techniques the Arboretum uses to propagate its plants: propagators take cuttings from the mature stems of woody plants, carefully trim and coat the ends in rooting hormone, then plant them in specially designed growing media. Join us for a hands-on workshop to learn this specialized form of propagation: the class will begin with a presentation on the biology of hardwood cuttings, then head outside to collect our own cuttings from nearby woody plants, and finally return inside to prepare and root the cuttings in growing media. Participants will bring home a small tray of cuttings to grow into their own small trees and shrubs.
December 14, 12:00–2:00pm Sarah Shank, Arboretum Propagator Members Only
This program takes place in the Dana Greenhouse classroom.
HORTICULTURE & BOTANY
Basic Botany
Join us for a primer on all things botany: different plant parts and what they do, the movement of water and nutrients around the plant, gas exchange, plant reproduction and more. No prior botany knowledge needed! Whether you’re looking for a botany refresher or learning plant form and function for the first time, this class will give you the basics you need to know.
January 17, 10:00am–12:30pm
Nicole Forsyth, horticulturist and plant science educator Members Only
This program takes place in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall.
Identifying Conifers
How do you tell the difference between a fir and a spruce? What about a pitch pine and an Eastern white pine? Join us for a tree identification class focused entirely on conifers, so that you can start ID’ing these fascinating trees in Massachusetts streets and forests.
January 24, 12:00–2:00pm
Alex Klein, herbalist Members Only
This program begins at Busey Street Gate.
Shrubs for the Winter Season
The Arboretum landscape doesn’t go to sleep in the winter: in fact winter is the best time to see the bright stems of red twig twig dogwood, the glossy leaves of fragrant daphne, and the feathery needles of plum yew. During this walk, learn about a variety of shrubs in the Arboretum’s collections, how to maintain these shrubs in your own yard, and what to expect from them in various seasons throughout the year.
January 31, 12:00–1:30pm
Rodney Eason, Director of Horticulture and Landscape Members Only
This program begins at Leventritt Pavillion.
Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless Author Event
Join us for a talk by popular Mushroom Hunt instructor Maria Pinto on her new book, Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Hidden Histories, Zombies, and Black Survival. Maria weaves together memoir, mycology, and cultural history to illuminate the deep and surprising ways fungi connect with human life. With vivid storytelling and a fiercely original voice, she explores fungi not just as biological wonders but as tools of survival, subversion, and spiritual sustenance—especially for those living at the margins.
February 1, 12:00–1:30pm
Maria Pinto, Author
This program takes place in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall.
Let’s Botanize
Winter Tree ID
Winter can feel like one of the hardest times to identify trees, with most of their characteristic leaves and flowers gone for the season. But with help from an experienced horticulturist, you can start identifying common winter trees from the woods and streets of Massachusetts based only on their bark, buds, twigs, and persistent fruit. This class will begin indoors with a presentation in the lecture hall, and then move outside for some identification practice in the landscape.
February 22, 10:00am–12:30pm
Nicole Forsyth, Horticulturist
Members Only
This program begins in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall.
Paying close attention to the plants around us can ease stress and create moments of joy and wonder, whether we’re walking through the woods, down the street, or just getting up close with our own houseplants. Let’s Botanize: 101 Ways to Connect with Plants is full of prompts and beautiful macrophotography that encourage readers to get outside and observe plants in close detail. Join us for a book launch consisting of a talk, book signings, and an optional walk in the landscape to try some of these prompts out for ourselves. (The botanizing walk will be weather dependent.)
February 28, 12:00–2:00pm
Ben Goulet-Scott and Jacob Suissa, Authors and former Arboretum researchers.
This program takes place in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall.
HISTORY & CULTURE
The Cosmic Tree: A Universal Symbol of Life: Ginkgoes and Conifers
Olmsted and The Arboretum
Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum is the only arboretum he designed, a National Historic Landmark, and a model for others around the world. Your knowledgeable docent will identify the elements of the Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted’s philosophy and approach to landscape design.
December 20, 11:00am–12:00pm
Bill Beizer, Docent
This program begins at Bussey Street Gate.
Cosmologies are ways of understanding the nature of the universe, of experiencing the world in all its variations including the visible and the invisible. Your docent will lead this interactive tour with stops for moments to reflect on specific trees and the stories associated with them. Were they revered or feared? A home for deities or tricksters? We will begin at the Walter Street Gate to visit the oldest ginkgoes at the Arboretum, then head up the Conifer Path and diverge to walk, rest, and reflect among various conifers, eventually ending by the yews near Bussey Brook and Hemlock Hill Road. Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes and bring a cloth/towel/mat for sitting/lying down.
December 21, 11:00am–12:30pm
February 14, 11:00am–12:30pm
Katrina Scott, Docent
This program begins at Walter Street Gate.
Peters Hill in Winter
Get a new perspective on some of the amazing trees on Peters Hill during this one-hour seasonal tour. In winter, leaves and blossoms fall away, exposing hidden features like bark, thorns, and roots. During this one-hour tour you’ll get a chance to explore a few of the interesting collections in the landscape, learn about the history of this part of the Arboretum, and get a winter time view of the Boston skyline from the second highest point in the city.
January 3, 1:00–2:00pm
January 31, 1:00–2:00pm
February 28, 1:00–2:00pm
Paul Eldrenkamp, Docent
This program begins at Bussey Street Gate.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Winter Wellness Walks
Take a brisk walk this winter and stay healthy and connected to the Arboretum at a time when the landscape is pared down to its beautiful bones. This 90-minute walk is similar to a guided tour, but with a slightly faster pace and fewer stops, to keep your feet warm and your blood pumping! Please dress appropriately for the weather including sturdy footwear. Each walk will cover a different part of the Arboretum, depending on weather and seasonal features.
Saturday, December 13, 11:00–12:30pm begins at the Hunnewell Building
Saturday, January 10, 11:00–12:30pm begins at Bussey St Gate on Flora Way
Sunday, February 8, 11:00–12:30pm begins at the Hunnewell Building
Sunday, March 8, 11:00–12:30pm begins at Bussey St Gate on Flora Way
NATURE & WILDLIFE
Birding at the Arboretum
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the feathered friends you see and hear on a walk through the Arnold Arboretum? If so, please join us for a leisurely 90-minute bird watching walk. We will cover a variety of habitats and focus on the changes that seasonal migration brings to our resident birds, so come back often to keep up with the seasons! No homework is required, but binoculars are helpful for spotting in the trees. Sign up early to receive updates and some helpful materials by email. We’re looking forward to birding with you!
December 7, 8:00–9:30am
January 11, 9:00–10:30am
February 1, 9:00–10:30am TJ and Allison, Arboretum volunteers This program begins at the Hunnewell Building.
Owl Observations
Dusk is a perfect time to look and listen for Great Horned Owls, often heard calling throughout the Arboretum’s collections. Join your guides to hear about the owls’ breeding and nesting behavior, learn how to go owling ethically, and possibly hear and see a few owls as well.
December 7, 4:00–5:00pm
December 13, 4:00–5:00pm
January 10, 4:15–5:15pm Brendan Keegan, Horticulturist Matt Kamm, Associate Director of Field Conservation at Zoo New England
This program begins at Bussey Street Gate.
Birding Walk
Embark on a birdwatching tour in the Arboretum’s landscape with a knowledgable docent. This two-hour tour is suitable for adult beginners as well as more experienced birders.
December 13, 9:00–11:00am
January 31, 9:00–11:00am
February 28, 9:00–11:00am
Donna Sullivan, Docent and Birder
This program begins at the Hunnewell Building.
Keeping Up with the Coyotes
With mating season just getting started, February is one of the best times to see signs of the Arboretum’s resident coyote population. Look for coyote tracks and scat, check our trail cameras, and find out why all these coyotes are in Boston in the first place.
February 7, 2:00–3:00pm
Brendan Keegan, Horticulturist and Wildlife Enthusiast
This program begins at Washington Street Gate.
Birding with Nature Man Mike
Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum’s landscape with birder and wildlife photographer Michael Bryant, AKA Nature Man Mike. This two-hour walk is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced birders. Binoculars will be available to borrow on a firstcome-first-serve basis, but you are encouraged to bring your own!
December 14, 8:00–10:00am
Michael Bryant, Birder
This program begins in front of the Hunnewell Building.
EVENTS
Young Friends at the Arnold
Join the Young Friends of the Arnold Arboretum for an evening of food, drinks, live music, and innovative science in the Arboretum’s Weld Hill Research Building—normally closed to the public. Designed for ages 21–45 and the young at heart, this festive event supports the Arboretum’s work in research, education, and horticulture. Ages 21+ only.
December 4, 6:30–9:30pm
This program takes place in the Weld Hill Research Building, Arnold Arboretum (1300 Centre St, Boston, MA 02131)
Tickets: $110/person
Member Tickets: $75/person (up to 4); $250 patron level includes a handcrafted wood bowl
The Founder of Modern Botany in China:
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Hu Hsen-Hsu (aka H.H. Hu, Hu Xiansu)
Celebrate the life and legacy of Hu Hsen-Hsu on the 100th anniversary of his Harvard doctorate. After studying at the Arnold Arboretum, Hu co-founded key botanical institutions in China and helped identify the “living fossil” dawn redwood. Seeds he sent to the Arboretum in 1948 now grow as iconic trees on the grounds and in gardens around the world. This online event features speakers including Arboretum Director Ned Friedman, botanist Ma Jinshuang, and Hu’s granddaughter, Professor Hu Xiaojiang. Free and open to the public. Registration required. Webinar begins at 7:00am EST US / 20:00 CST CHINA. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants before the program.
December 2, 7:00am – 8:30am EST US; 20:00 CST China This program will take place virtually..
TOURS
Witch Hazel Tours
Did you know flowers can be found at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour of this collection and be ready to step off the path to admire the native witchhazels, as well as those from China and Japan.
January & February
Visit the tour calendar for schedule.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
WELCOME TO THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM
Our 281-acre landscape features more than 16,000 accessioned plants. We are open daily and free for all to explore. Whether you are coming for a stroll, on the lookout for wildlife, or interested in learning the stories and science behind our plants, we offer something for everyone.
F Learn about our plants and collections
F Print a map
F Get directions
F Take a guided tour
Accessibility
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University welcomes people of all abilities and is committed to facilitating a safe and engaging experience for all who visit. To learn more or for accessibilityrelated questions, please visit the accessibility page on our website or contact our Visitor Engagement team.
SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Here is just a small sampling of what is happening this season in the Arnold Arboretum.
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani)
Asian black birch (Betula dahurica)
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana)
Paperbark filbert (Corylus fargesii)
VISITING WITH KIDS
Wonder Spots
Explore the landscape through seasonal investigations about the natural world. Learn about plants and animals in locations throughout the Arboretum.
Winter Scavenger Hunt
Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a copy or print one out at home. See how many of these seasonal treasures you can find this winter at the Arboretum!
Little Explorers, a preschool-age program
Join us at the Arboretum as we read and discover new things about the natural world. During this one-hour program for our youngest guests and their grownups, we will read a nature inspired story, do a craft/activity, and go for a nature walk to continue exploring the theme. Each week’s theme is inspired by what is happening seasonally at the Arboretum. This program will primarily take place in the landscape. (Geared toward ages 3-5) FREE
Now on select Mondays, 10:00–11:00am
Winter dates:
December 1
December 15
January 12
January 26
February 9
February 23
Registration not required but encouraged as location of program might change and registrants will receive an email update if the program location changes.
Youth Education Staff
This program begins in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall.
Now on Mondays
Sizing Up Winter by Lizann Flatt & Ashley Barron
Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman & Rick Allen
The Next Scientist: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of the World’s Great Scientists by Kate Messner and Julia Kuo Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre
