Walter Hunnewell Arboretum, Historical arboretum in Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States.
The Walter Hunnewell Arboretum is a private botanical estate in Wellesley, Massachusetts, set along the shore of Lake Waban and home to a large collection of woody plants from many botanical families. Maintained paths connect open lawns, wooded sections, and greenhouses arranged around the lake.
H. H. Hunnewell began developing the estate as a private garden in 1843 and brought thousands of trees from England over the following years. The property has since been cared for and expanded by six generations of the same family.
The topiary garden on the grounds is considered the first of its kind in the United States, where Eastern white pines and arborvitae are trimmed into geometric shapes. This living garden craft, rooted in a European tradition, has been kept going on the same site for over a century.
The grounds are open to walking, with marked paths that guide visitors through the different collection areas. Some sections have uneven terrain, so sturdy footwear is a good idea before setting out.
A pinetum was planted on the grounds in 1867 and contains rare conifers such as Torreya nucifera and a weeping Canadian hemlock. These trees are almost never seen elsewhere in New England, making this corner of the estate worth seeking out.
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