ORCVB Newsroom --> Press Release
University of Tennessee Arboretum
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OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Arboretum is a 2,260-acre tract of land in Oak Ridge that is headquarters for the UT Forest Resources Research and Education Center. More than 30,000 visitors enjoy the Arboretum’s scenic beauty and educational resources annually.
Established in 1964, this forest is unique in that, other than the traditional function of conducting forestry and wildlife research on the total property, 250 acres are identified as part of the Arboretum's mission of public education and public service. This area features interpretive nature trails and ecological points of interest. The Arboretum is a research, education and demonstration project with a collection of more than 2,500 native and exotic woody plant specimens.
Walking Trails
There are several miles of trails for walking enjoyment at the UT Arboretum. The trails are part of four self-guided walking tours designated by color-coded trail markers. Interpretive signs describe points of interest along the way. The tours range in length from .5 miles to 1.4 miles.
Plant Collections
The UT Arboretum has 2,500 plant specimens, representing over 800 species, varieties, and cultivars. Most of the plants are displayed as groups of associated plant species as found in their natural habitat. These groupings, known as forest association models, include: Central China, Southern Coastal Plains, California Forest, Heath Forest, Polish Forest, and Cumberland Gorge. Also, there are over 20 different plant collections. Some of the major collections are as follows: Elmore Holly Collection, Magnolia Garden, Dogwood Collection, Azaleas & Rhododendrons, Dwarf Conifer Collection, Juniper Garden, Shrub Garden, Viburnums, and Wildflowers.
Weddings
The UT Arboretum is the perfect backdrop for weddings with pastoral landscapes and romantic vistas. Packages range from $300 to $800. Hosting weddings is one of several efforts to make the facility self-supporting.
More information can be found at www.discoveret.org/utarboretum.
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