Arnold Arboretum
Park Harvard-affiliated botanical collection and public arboretum
Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum in Boston offers planned tree collections, winding paths and seasonal displays. Locals come for walks, plant study and spring blossoms within the Emerald Necklace.
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is a 281-acre living collection and research institution in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1872.
It contains extensive collections of trees and shrubs from temperate regions of the world arranged for study and public enjoyment, with paved and unpaved paths that traverse collections and specimen plantings.
The Arboretum functions as both a public park and a research arm of Harvard, offering year-round access without an entry fee.
- Size and ownership: Occupies 281 acres and is part of Harvard University, combining living collections, research facilities and public access.
- Founding and access: Founded in 1872 as a public arboretum and research collection with free year-round access for visitors and researchers.
How to Get to Arnold Arboretum #
The Arnold Arboretum is in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston and is best reached by MBTA. Take the Orange Line to Forest Hills station; the arboretum’s main entrances are then a short 5-10 minute walk from the station. By car it’s only a few miles (about 6-7 km) southwest of downtown Boston-use Huntington Avenue/Centre Street or follow signs to Forest Hills for on-site parking.
Tips for Visiting Arnold Arboretum #
- Visit in spring for flowering collections or in fall for peak foliage; those seasons showcase the Arboretum's planted collections best.
- Use Forest Hills (MBTA Orange Line) and walk in from the nearby entrances to avoid limited parking; several pedestrian gates give direct access to main features like Peters Hill and Bussey Hill.
- Arrive on weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds and to experience quieter walking routes and research collections.
Best Time to Visit Arnold Arboretum #
Visit the Arnold Arboretum in spring for blossoms or in autumn for peak foliage displays.
Weather & Climate near Arnold Arboretum #
Arnold Arboretum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1149 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (108 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
