(text and background only visible when logged in)
(text and background only visible when logged in)
What is an Arboretum?
An arboretum is a type of museum for trees: a plot of land on which many different trees or shrubs are grown for study or display. Georgia Tech is a certified level II arboretum by:
- Labeling and Identifying 100+ different species
- Hosting advanced public and educational programs
- Establishing a policy on the documentation and care of the trees
A City Within a Forest
Atlanta, known as a “city within a forest,” is one of the most heavily forested urban areas in the country. Amid the city’s density, Georgia Tech’s campus stands out for its expansive green spaces, offering a calm, tree-filled environment set apart from Midtown’s bustle.
On campus, trees provide both environmental and social benefits and support urban-tree research initiatives. Key benefits include:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have a Look Around
I&S has collaborated with various partners to identify, record, and track every tree on campus. These data points are input into the following interactive map. The tree inventory is continually updated. Campus is split into five zones, and one zone is inventoried every year. Creating a five-year long process of recording tree location and trunk diameter.
Explore a guided tour of our greens and gardens on campus, which highlights specific trees:
(text and background only visible when logged in)
Our History
Georgia Tech has been a certified arboretum since 2016, but our strong relationship with our campus trees dates back much further.
Key Dates:
- 2005 - Landscape Master Plan released
- 2008 - Tree Campus certification
- 2015 – PGMS Green Star Award and GUFC President’s Award
- 2016 – Certified Level II Arboretum
- 2019 – Campus Tree Care Plan released
- 2021 – Recertified as Level II Arboretum
(text and background only visible when logged in)
Want to Know More?
Explore how Georgia Tech researchers are harnessing arboretum data below:
Utilize i-Tree to calculate the impact of individual trees.
To access specific arboretum data, fill out the Infrastructure & Sustainability Living Campus Data Request Form
The arboretum can be utilized for research projects, studying topics such as:
- Heat Island Effect
- Stormwater Runoff Calculations
- Leaf Biomass
- Augmented Reality/Web Development
- Impacts on Energy use in adjacent buildings
- Phytoremediation
- Biodiversity
- Pollution Reduction
- Carbon Sequestration
- Healthy Trails
Georgia Tech researchers have partnered with Atlanta’s Department of City Planning to develop extensive maps of urban tree canopy coverage, allowing both the city and campus to better manage resources and maximize benefits associated with a healthy forest.
Get Involved
Looking to get more involved with the Georgia Tech Arboretum? The Office of Sustainability is your hub for events, opportunities, and other ways to support sustainable efforts across campus.