University of Tennessee Arboretum

The University of Tennessee Arboretum is a botanical garden with hundreds of different trees and shrubs planted for study and research. The grounds feature trails that wind through various plant collections, allowing visitors to explore different species and their growing conditions.

The site was originally home to families before being converted to scientific use in 1948. A heritage trail on the grounds still preserves the history of those earlier residents and the changes the land has undergone.

The arboretum's role as a teaching space shapes how visitors move through it, with labeled plant collections and outdoor classrooms visible throughout the grounds. This setting makes learning about plants feel natural and accessible to anyone who walks the trails.

The trails are open and accessible, connecting to a larger hiking system used throughout Tennessee for outdoor recreation. An auditorium on the grounds provides covered space if you need shelter during your visit or want to attend an event.

The site is recognized as an official holly test garden by the Holly Society of America, where research and breeding of holly plants takes place. This makes it a rare location to observe how new plant varieties are developed and evaluated.