At A Glance
  • 30 tree and woody plant species
  • Level One ArbNet Accreditation
  • One of 24 accredited arboreta in Massachusetts
  • One of 7 cemetery arboreta in the Commonwealth
  • Self-guided Tree Walk with GPS-mapped species

Blue Hill Cemetery holds Level One Arboretum Accreditation from ArbNet, the global accrediting agency affiliated with The Morton Arboretum. Our collection comprises 30 species of trees and woody plants, thoughtfully maintained across our historic Olmsted-designed grounds.

We are one of 24 ArbNet-accredited arboreta in Massachusetts — and one of just seven located within a cemetery.

Our Mission

A Living Collection

Trees are far more than individual organisms. They anchor ecosystems, sustaining the soil, water, climate, and countless living things that depend on them. The mission of the Blue Hill Cemetery Arboretum is to display, nurture, and conserve a diverse collection of native and non-native trees and woody plants — and to share an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of our regional landscape.

GPS-Mapped Species

Each of the 30 species is numbered and mapped with GPS coordinates, linking to individual information cards with photos and species details.

Labeled in the Field

Every tree is marked with a highly visible signpost and an engraved metal ID tag noting genus, species, family, and origin.

Deeper Reading

Each information card links to detailed educational content and additional photos — perfect for curious visitors and students alike.

We are grateful to Native Plant Trust for permission to feature links to their exceptional educational resources throughout our arboretum pages. A Massachusetts nonprofit with over 125 years of history, Native Plant Trust has been an invaluable partner in bringing our tree collection to life online. If you’d like to support their work, visit nativeplanttrust.org/support.

Visiting in Person

Blue Hill Cemetery is a pastoral sanctuary of reverence, remembrance, and repose. We warmly invite you to walk the grounds and explore our arboretum — and ask that you exercise courtesy and respect while in our sacred space.

An enhanced Tree Walk experience is coming soon, featuring interactive tour stops and detailed species information.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Blue Hill Cemetery

is an affiliate of the following associations: