Arboretum

What is an arboretum?

Capitol Campus Horticulturist and Grounds Property Manager Brent Chapman says an arboretum is an "outdoor museum" that focuses on unique trees. 

Capitol Campus' status as an internationally accredited arboretum is important because it signifies our commitment to conserving our history and representing all the regions of our state.

Key features of the Capitol Campus arboretum include:

• Over 100 different types of trees native to Washington state and various locations around the world
• The Sunken Garden
• The Pollinator Garden
• A variety of seasonal plantings

What is international accreditation?

Capitol Campus receiving international accreditation means that it is recognized worldwide for its beautiful trees, gardens, and other plant life.

"The accreditation of the Capitol Campus as an arboretum will allow DES to work toward achieving higher levels of professional tree care standards, developing and sharing more information about this cultural landscape, both virtually and in-person, and serving as a model for urban forestry," said Brent Chapman.

Listen to Brent Chapman speak more on the international accreditation in an episode of KXXO Radio's Your Community Podcast.

History and impacts

The famous Olmsted Brothers designed Capitol Campus in the 1920s. They believed in the importance of planting native and adaptable trees that complimented the natural features of the grounds. We continue the Olmsted legacy through our urban forestry work.

Since 2021, the arboretum has made a few notable impacts:

• In 2021, the Capitol's grounds team planted 100 trees to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Association of State Foresters.
• In 2022, the grounds team planted 100 more trees with a goal to represent each type of tree that grows Olympia in the arboretum. That same year, the Professional Grounds Management Society recognized the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) with the National Honor Award for Olmsted Properties for the care and custody of the Olmsted landscape.
• In 2023, the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program recognized the Washington State Capitol Campus Arboretum with international accreditation.

Notable trees on the campus

• The national champion English oak.
• A Douglas fir grown from a seed that went to the moon and back on an Apollo space mission in 1971.
• A grove of Yoshino cherry trees that were a gift from Yoshino, Japan, in 1984. 
• A Japanese cryptomeria that represents the State of Washington’s relationship with its sister state, Hyogo, Japan. 

Learn more about the trees on Capitol Campus.

Discover more on a botanical tour 

Take a free guided botanical tour to learn more about the trees and flowers on campus.

If you're unable to take a guided tour, consider going on a self-guided tree tour.