The Arboretum
The Arboretum > Natural Areas
Pinetum
Tyler's Pinetum is an imposing 85-acre collection of pines, spruces, hemlocks, firs, cedars, falsecypresses, and larches. Looking at the Pinetum today, it is difficult to imagine the frustration Dr. Wister (Tyler’s first Executive Director) expressed in 1952 as he tried to secure the resources needed to clear the area of the dense growth of weedy tulip, ash and red maple trees: "The Director can see no hope of starting the work during the next year, and every year's delay will make the clearing more difficult and expensive."
Clearing was completed in 1954, and conifer plants and seedlings donated by the Arnold, Morris, and Scott Arboreta were planted that fall. Trees in the pine family (Pinus spp.) – including pines, spruces, firs, hemlocks, cedars, junipers, and arborvitae – were planted in groups of three to five of each species, with one specimen planted well apart from the group.
Deer damage was reported as early as 1958, and wire protection was put around the young trees, a practice that continued today in areas of the Pinetum that extend beyond the portion of the Arboretum encircled by Tyler’s 12-foot-high deer exclosure fence.
