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.
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.
Additional Suggested Resources
Science and Identification of Trees
Cultural, Aesthetic, Historical, and Spiritual Characteristics of Trees
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.
