Pittsburgh has a new arboretum, and it’s one that is near and dear to our hearts: our campus! That’s right, Tree Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh’s newest arboretum.
Nestled along the banks of the Allegheny River in Lawrenceville, our 5-acre campus houses our offices, workshop, and Heritage Nursery – and now, our arboretum. Our campus has always been an educational space, and the arboretum builds on that mission. It’s a living classroom where visitors can see tree care, protection, and management practices in action.
We’ve selected 40 unique trees to examine and enjoy along our trail and campus. And that’s just a start – we’ve planted over 700 trees throughout the site! All trees highlighted on our arboretum map are primarily native, or trees that are resilient to city stressors. From American sycamore and eastern redbud to pawpaw and sweetbay magnolia, the arboretum reflects the richness of Western Pennsylvania’s tree canopy. You’ll also find a thoughtful selection of non-native and hybrid species, like dawn redwood and Persian ironwood, that help us explore how different trees adapt to changing environments over time.
The foundation of the collection is built on a combination of mature trees that survived the site’s industrial past, alongside hundreds of saplings grown in the Heritage Nursery, from seed collected in the Western Pennsylvania eco-region. This practice enhances genetic diversity and promotes climate adaptation.
Our campus is the quintessential Pittsburgh story: once a brown field, now an oasis of trees.
As you walk our arboretum and trail, you’ll see plants and trees of all kinds, some that have been there for decades and some that were selected specifically for our conditions. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, including a bald eagle and our resident spiny softshell turtle Myrtle.
The Tree Pittsburgh Arboretum is a reminder of the beauty and power of trees. We hope you’ll come visit and experience it for yourself.
Want to explore other arboretums? Check out the Pittsburgh Arboretum Hub!