Arboretum Update Just in Time for Arbor Week

Over the last 20 years, Crown Hill Cemetery has lost several trees from weather events, natural decline of trees, and the development of the cemetery. In some sections of the cemetery, up to 50% of the established trees have been lost. Unfortunately, this is not outside national trends in urban tree canopy cover, but a topic that the Crown Hill Arboretum is uniquely suited to understand and positively impact.

How do we know this? Initial data came from comparing the tree inventory completed by Purdue University in early 2000 to our current tree inventory completed in 2022. This data comparison was verified by stumps remaining in sections, correlated with events recollected by site staff, and aligned with expected loss from invasive forest pest impacts. We partnered with dendrochronologist Jim Speer at Indiana State University on a small sampling, comparing it with photography from the site to better understand the age of trees on property. For example, a section with burials starting in 1900 has trees that date back to 1901-1906.

The Crown Hill Cemetery and Arboretum contracted with Nature’s Canopy to grind 300 stumps and plant new trees in the spaces.

After our inventory and tree risk assessment was completed by our staff arborist, a list of recommended tree removals was created. These trees posed the greatest risk for visitor safety and tombstone damage. Through this process, an additional 109 dead standing or critically damaged/defective trees were removed as part of our Clean Sweep Project in 2023.

This spring, the arboretum is working to grind 300 stumps and replant an equal number of new trees. This is in addition to the 150 trees we have planted over the last two seasons.

This planting will increase the total tree population by 2.7%, will increase the age diversity of our trees onsite over time, and offer new species on property. The past three years of inventorying, tree assessment, removal, and planting gives us the opportunity to stay true to past visioning for the layout of trees in each section and work alongside cemetery development.

With a collection of over 11,000 trees representing over 126 species of trees, many of which are significant in stature and age, the Crown Hill Cemetery and Arboretum strive to inspire passionate appreciation for trees and the landscape through excellence in the curation and care of our collections.

Planting new trees is not easy. Some trees weigh hundreds of pounds and must be placed with respect to tombstones and graves. The Crown Hill Foundation staff works closely to ensure the safety of our contractor (Nature’s Canopy), as well as the care for our cemetery’s historical resources.