Exploring the Rich Diversity of Trees in the UConn Arboretum

Storrs, CT — Walking across the University of Connecticut’s flagship campus in Storrs, it is hard to miss the dazzling variety of trees and shrubs that decorate the landscape. Most people do not realize they are actually viewing one of UConn’s most beautiful natural resources: its campus Arboretum. Over 5,000 identified trees make up the Arboretum and, for the fourth year running, the community is invited to join the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History on Saturday June 6 to tour a selection of the more than 400 different varieties and species represented.

Based on the concept of the “campus as arboretum,” the UConn Arboretum Committee (AC) helps to protect, promote, catalogue, and manage trees and shrubs across the University grounds. Alfred G. Gulley, Professor of Horticulture from 1894 to 1917 at what was then known as Connecticut Agricultural College, first came up with the idea that the Great Lawn could become an arboretum. During his tenure, Gulley was responsible for planting the first trees and shrubs on campus, as well as devising its first walkways and roads. Inspired by Professor Gulley, the UConn AC was founded in the mid-1980s by faculty and staff at the University who shared his dedication to cataloguing and protecting the trees and shrubs that enhance the scenery of UConn Storrs.

The UConn AC today is made up of University faculty, staff, students, operational and research facility managers, and community members. The Museum is grateful to have four members of the Committee leading this year’s tour: Landscape Architect and Tree Warden Eileen McHugh, Facilities Manager for Utilities and Grounds Wes Ayers, and Greenhouse Plant Growth Facilities Manager Nick Pettit.

An asset of both scientific interest and beauty to the University community and campus visitors alike, the UConn Arboretum is a living laboratory that supports both the academic mission and strategic vision of the University. In 2024, the UConn Arboretum was accredited as a Level II facility by ArbNet, the world's only international program of accreditation specific to arboreta. It is now listed with more than 2,400 other arboreta worldwide in the Morton Register. The existence of the UConn AC is one of five standards maintained by UConn that qualifies the University for recognition as a Tree Campus Higher Education by the Arbor Day Foundation. UConn has been certified by Tree Campus USAeach year since 2013 and is the first college in Connecticut and only the third school in New England to receive this distinction.

The CSMNH has worked with the UConn AC to produce printed copies of the recently revised UConn Campus Tree Touring Guide and an accessible, and printable, PDF version for the web. More information about the Arboretum and the popular Touring Guide can be found on the UConn Arboretum website. Print versions of the revised guide will be available during the tour.

The tour is scheduled for Saturday June 6, 2026, from 10am-12pm, at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Sign-in begins at 9:45AM, followed by a 2-hour guided walk through the campus arboretum. The walk is primarily on sidewalks, with some hills and grassy areas. Participants aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Held rain or shine! In case of severe weather, walk will be cancelled and rescheduled to a later date. Details regarding meet up location and parking will be sent a week before the event to registered participants.

The event is free and open to the public!

Registration is required and donations are appreciated, as they help us keep our public programs free!

Visit https://csmnh.uconn.edu/programs for more information and to register.

If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in this event, please contact the Museum at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu.

This program is sponsored by the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at the University of Connecticut.

Portions of this press release were previously published in May 2025.