Marshall University Arboretum

Marshall University Arboretum

Welcome to the Arboretum

Marshall University’s campus is more than a place to learn. It is also home to a diverse and growing collection of trees that provide shade, habitat, seasonal beauty, and opportunities for education and research. As a living arboretum, the campus serves as an outdoor classroom where students, faculty, staff, and visitors can connect with the natural world while exploring tree species from West Virginia and beyond.

Marshall University's bronze bison statue stands among mature campus trees beneath a bright sky, overlooking the university landscape.

The Marshall University Arboretum highlights a wide variety of native and ornamental trees found throughout campus. Through interpretive resources and ongoing stewardship, the arboretum promotes appreciation of urban forests and the important role trees play in creating healthy, sustainable communities.

1,100+ Trees
80+ Species
24/7 Access for students and community

What is an Arboretum?

An arboretum is a collection of trees and woody plants cultivated for study, education, conservation, and public enjoyment. Marshall University’s arboretum transforms the campus landscape into a living laboratory where visitors can learn to identify trees, explore biodiversity, and gain a deeper understanding of our natural environment.

Aerial view of Marshall University's Huntington campus with the Science Building in the foreground and mature trees, lawns, and greenspaces woven throughout the campus landscape.

Explore the Collection

The arboretum includes dozens of tree species found across campus, from iconic native trees such as American beech, white oak, and tulip tree to ornamental favorites including flowering dogwood, Japanese maple, and southern magnolia. Each species profile provides information on identification, characteristics, ecological value, and campus locations.

Learn, Discover, and Connect

Whether you’re a student studying natural resources, a visitor exploring campus, or simply someone who enjoys trees, the Marshall University Arboretum offers opportunities to learn about the rich diversity of our campus landscape. We invite you to explore, observe, and discover the trees that make Marshall University unique.

Statue of Chief Justice John Marshall, the university's namesake, overlooking a tree-filled campus landscape near Old Main.