Mere minutes from downtown Portland, Hoyt Arboretum is a living museum, a historical landscape, an outdoor laboratory, and a curated woodland – all in one park. Straddling 189 ridgetop acres in Washington Park, the Arboretum is home to over 6,000 trees including large PNW natives and a curated global collection planted along 12 miles of trails.

Hoyt Arboretum was established in 1928, the master plan for collections and development was created by John Duncan in 1930, and the first trees were planted in 1931. Particular care was given to a range of conifers, and today, Hoyt’s collections of redwood, spruce, pine, fir, and cedar have grown to impressive heights. The “Duncan Plan” was fulfilled by 1954, and those plantings are cared for and protected alongside new plantings from the revised “Family Plan” in 2002. This collections policy remains in effect today, and places priority on ex-situ conservation of rare and endangered species.

The current collection represents over 1445 species plus 770 cultivars of woody plants from six continents. The conifer section alone contains 240 species which includes many endangered and rare species such as Torreya taxifolia, Cupressus dupressiana, and Picea brewerianaare. Also of note is Hoyt Arboretum’s signature Metasequoia glyptostroboides,which was the first of the trees received from the 1947 seed collection trip to set cones, making it the first to do so in North America in 35 million years!

Hoyt Arboretum is home to other notable collections including maples and magnolias which are nationally accredited by the Plant Collections Network of the American Public Gardens Association. Hoyt Arboretum’s collections are widely recognized for their quality and breadth, the garden’s long-term commitment, a favorable local environment, and institutional expertise.

Since 1986, Hoyt Arboretum has been managed in partnership between Portland Parks & Recreation and Hoyt Arboretum Friends. Through significant fundraising and a robust volunteer

program, Hoyt Arboretum Friends staff and volunteers enhance visitors’ on-site experiences. They provide a range of educational opportunities for all ages around the Arboretum’s tree collections, engage in important advocacy in support of the park, and raise critical funds for capital improvements like the Stevens Pavilion, Redwood Deck, and Visitor Center.

Hoyt Arboretum does not charge an admission fee and is open and accessible 365 days a year. From the budburst of spring through summer fruit, fall’s fiery kaleidoscope and winter’s pops of color, there’s always something to see. Maps, books, and knowledgeable staff and volunteers can be found at the Visitor Center which is open daily from 10am-4pm. There are also 2 miles of accessible, paved trails so everyone may experience this unique Arboretum.

Learn more at hoytarboretum.org

Pictures:

Redwood Deck

Redwood Trail

Dawn Redwood

Hikers on Wildwood Trail

Fall Color

Winter garden

Overlook Viewpoint

Stevens Pavilion

Visitor Center

Magnolia Trail