Bonny Oaks Arboretum

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

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Bonny Oaks Arboretum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a historic garden located in front of the Dent House, now the Hamilton County Agriculture Center. The arboretum features about 55 types of trees and shrubs, all identified by their common and scientific names, including a notable willow oak tree dating back before 1854.

The site was originally the Bonny Oaks Children’s Home, an orphanage and working farm that operated from 1898 to 1988 to teach agrarian skills to children. The arboretum was certified by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs in 2000 and is maintained by local Master Gardeners who conduct planting and educational activities.

Visitors can enjoy a peaceful garden with a fountain, benches, and historic features, and the site is open daily without charge. The property also includes the historic Dent House, part of the National Historic Register, and now houses agricultural offices and event spaces.