Earl L. Core Arboretum

Earl L. Core Arboretum is a botanical garden at West Virginia University featuring native and cultivated plant collections spread across hillside and bottomland areas. The grounds extend along the Monongahela River and create different habitats for the plant species throughout the property.

The arboretum was established in 1948 as a botanical research project associated with the university's biology department. Its creation reflected the desire to gather plant collections and support the study of regional flora.

The site functions as an outdoor classroom where visitors observe how different plant species grow in their natural settings. It demonstrates the connection between people and the local plant life that surrounds them throughout the year.

Visitors can walk through the grounds daily from sunrise to sunset using a network of trails, with free parking available near the main entrance. The paths accommodate different walking levels and allow for self-guided exploration at your own pace.

The grounds hold a large collection of tree and shrub species that visitors discover while walking the paths. In spring, visitors can witness short-lived wildflowers that bloom for just a few weeks before disappearing until the next year.

Location: West Virginia

GPS coordinates: 39.64560,-79.97750

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:41