University of Illinois Arboretum

"In all things of nature there is something
of the marvelous"

-Aristotle

The UI Arboretum is a living laboratory, including plant collections and facilities that support the teaching, research, and public service programs of several units throughout campus. Located on the campus of the University of Illinois, it was developed in the late 1980s to early 1990s, and is currently 57 acres.

Central to the Arboretum was the development of the "All American Selection Trial Gardens," established by a bequest from Miles C. Hartley in the early 90s. The Department of Horticulture originally maintained the gardens and in 2004 the Arboretum was moved to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences within the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).

Our Gardens

Experience our gardens—a series of great outdoor rooms—a place where you can ask questions about plants and get ideas for designing your own garden—a place to learn about plant sciences and applied arts in an aesthetically-enriched setting.

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A volunteer prepares a cherry tree for planting.

Fifty Cherry Trees Planted

Fifty cherry trees were planted at the Arboretum this April – 30 along the sides of the walkway leading to the entrance of Japan House, and the remaining trees placed throughout the property. The idea to add cherry trees to the Japan House landscape evolved during a garden tour and informal conversation between Genshitsue Sen and Japan House director Kimiko Gunji when Sen visited the campus to receive an honorary degree in May of 2007.