Perkins Arboretum
Perkins Arboretum is a woodland near Colby College in Waterville with nearly 4 miles of trails that wind through forests and open fields. The paths pass through thick groves of hemlock and deciduous trees, stream areas, and clearings, with color-coded markers guiding visitors along different routes.
The arboretum was established in 1946 to preserve the woodland in its natural state and expanded in 1969 to its current size. The land remains protected so that trees are not cut or altered, keeping the forest intact for teaching and research purposes.
The arboretum serves Colby College as a teaching resource where students and researchers study local plants and how forests function in Maine. The woodland reflects the natural character of the region and connects people to the landscape that has shaped the area over time.
The trails are color-coded and made of dirt and forest floor, making them easy to walk on, though some sections can be damp or uneven. In winter the paths are groomed for cross-country skiing from the first snow through mid-March, when hiking is not permitted.
A stand of Eastern Hemlock trees over 100 years old lines the yellow trail, showing the long natural history of the forest. These towering dark trees form the core of the woodland landscape and stand as visible reminders of how the land has remained largely untouched over generations.
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