Major Trees

One of the most outstanding features of the estate that became the Morris Arboretum in 1933 is the collection of large and stately trees. These sovereigns form the fabric that weaves together the Arboretum. Today, we continue the Morrises' legacy by caring for our mature trees and continuing to expand our tree collection.

These 17 trees are a sampling of the most outstanding and beautiful trees throughout the Arboretum. They represent the diversity of our plant collections by showing plants from North America, Europe, the Mediterranean, China, Japan, and Korea. Some of them are among the largest of their kind in North America. Others are exceedingly rare and may be among only a handful grown outside of Asia. Others are unusual horticultural forms. What all these awe-inspiring specimens share, is a connection to our past, hope for our future, and a testimony to the beauty and longevity of trees.

The Catalogue of Plants in the Living Collection
This online catalogue is a listing of every living plant for which collection records are kept.  It represents 7,901 records for plants and seedlots alive in the Arboretum as of 31 January 2011.  Because a record may have more than one plant, our collection has approximately 13,000 accessioned plants and seedlots.  These 13,000 plants represent 2,531 taxa (types of plants).   Annuals and most perennials are not accessioned.

This list is arranged alphabetically by scientific name.  It gives accession number, current location, scientific name, common name, provenance, source, how received, collector number, and native range for each plant or seedlot.  Accession numbers ending with an “&” are seedlots or non-labelled seedlings in propagation. 

A grid map of the Arboretum is included to help users locate plants throughout the living collection.  Plants located at the Greenhouse, the Nursery, or Bloomfield Farm can be viewed by appointment only. 

Click on the here to download a pdf version of the Catalogue of Plants in the Living Collection

Learn more about the Morris Arboretum’s collaborative plant exploration program in China

Morris Arboretum's F. Otto Haas Director, Paul W. Meyer and Gayle E. Maloney Director of Horticulture and Curator, Anthony S. Aiello have been part of the collaborative plant exploration program in China for many years. Learn more about their expeditions to China in The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University's quarterly publication, Arnoldia.