John J. Tyler Arboretum

The John J. Tyler Arboretum is a botanical garden spanning over 650 acres with woodlands, wetlands, and open meadows. The grounds are connected by nearly 17 miles of trails that lead through different plant collections and natural areas.

Brothers Jacob and Minshall Painter began systematically planting trees and shrubs in 1825, establishing the foundation for today's plant collections. In 1944, Laura Tyler converted the property into a nonprofit educational institution.

The grounds honor John J. Tyler, a key figure who helped shape this space in the 20th century. Walking here, you experience a place shaped by family care across generations, where plant collecting became a way of expressing attachment to the land.

The arboretum is open daily except for major holidays and charges an entrance fee for non-members. The main entrance is on Painter Road in Middletown Township, with parking available and trails of varying difficulty crossing the grounds.

The grounds hold Pennsylvania's largest Giant Sequoia tree alongside rare species like Lebanon Cedar, Ginkgo, and Yulan Magnolia. Some of these woody plants date back to the original Painter family collections.

Location: Delaware County

GPS coordinates: 39.93472,-75.43111

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:08