Vanderbilt University Arboretum

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United States of America - Tennessee - Nashville

Institution Code:

BGCI Member: No

The Bicentennial Oak, a large specimen of Quercus macrocarpus (bur oak) believed to be over 200 years old, is representative of the mature trees found in the center of the Vanderbilt campus.  (Image GUID: http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/baskauf/79649)
The Bicentennial Oak, a large specimen of Quercus macrocarpus (bur oak) believed to be over 200 years old, is representative of the mature trees found in the center of the Vanderbilt campus. (Image GUID: http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/baskauf/79649)

About the Vanderbilt University Arboretum

The arboretum itself consists of the campus of Vanderbilt University. It was first referred to as an "arboretum" in May 1879, only six years after the university was founded. The arboretum seeks to represent the variety of trees native to Tennessee as well as to illustrate various ornamental species. The collection contains approximately 5625 identified and geolocated trees representing about 170 species of trees and shrubs. It contains one national champion tree (September elm), and four Tennessee state champion trees (September elm, Japanese zelkova, green hawthorn, and hedge maple).

Main Address:
Vanderbilt University Arboretum
Campus Planning & Construction
122 Bryan Building
Nashville
Tennessee 37240 United States of America

Telephone: (615) 322-2715
Fax: (615) 343-4830
URL: http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/arboretum
Primary Email: steve.baskauf@vanderbilt.edu

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Pamela Sevy, Director of Arboretum, Campus Landscape Architect
    Curator's Name: Dr. Steven Baskauf, Senior Lecturer
    Plant Records Officer's Name:

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Botanic Garden
  • Status
  • Status: Private: Yes
    Status: State: No
    Status: Educational: Yes
    Status: Municipal: No
    Status: Satellite: No
    Status: Trust: No
  • Date founded: 1988
  • Physical Data
  • Natural Vegetation Area: No
  • Landscaped Area: Yes
    Landscaped Area: Size: 130 Hectares
  • Total Area: 130 Hectares
    Latitude: 36.1677830
    Longitude: -86.7783650
    Annual Rainfall: 1200 mm
    Altitude: 150.00 Metres

Features and Facilities

  • Herbarium: No
    Arboretum: Yes
    Arboretum Size: 130
  • Micropropagation/ Tissue Culture Facilities: No
    Seed Bank: No
    Published Plant Catalogue: Yes
    Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Open to public: Yes
    Friends society: No
    Retail Outlet: Shop: No
    Retail Outlet: Plant Sales: No
    Disabled access: Yes

Plant Collections

  • Accession Number: 5625
    Cultivation Taxa Num: 170
  • Special Collections:The data on trees and shrubs in the arboretum are a part of the campus planning GIS database. Thus each tree is geolocated and identified to species and sometimes cultivar if known.

Conservation Programmes

  • Conservation Programme: No
    Medicinal Plant Programme: No
    Ex Situ Conservation Programme: No
    Reintroduction Programme: No

Research Programmes

  • Biotechnology: No
    Plant Breeding: No
    Conservation - Biology: No
    Conservation - Genetics: No
    Data Management Systems and Information Technology: Yes
    Ecology: No
    Ecosystem Conservation: No
    Education: Yes
    Ethnobotany: No
    Exploration: No
    Floristics: No
    Horticulture: No
    Invasive Species Biology and Control: No
    Molecular Genetics: No
    Pollination Biology: No
    Restoration Ecology: No
    Seed/Spore Biology: No
    Systematics and Taxonomy: No
    Sustainability: No
    Pharmacology: No
    Agriculture: No
    Land Restoration: No
    Urban Environments: No

Education Programmes

  • Visitor/Education Centre: No
    Education Signs in Garden: Yes
    Public Lectures/Talks: No
    Education Booklets/Leaflets: No
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Permanent Public Displays: No
    Special Exhibitions: No
    Courses for School Children: No
    Courses for University/College Students: No
    Courses for General Public: No
    Education Programme: Yes