F. R. Newman Arboretum

New York State, United States

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The F. R. Newman Arboretum is a 100-acre landscaped area at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, renowned for its scenic beauty and diverse plant collections. Its landscape features bowl-shaped hills and valleys carved by Fall Creek over 10,000 years ago, offering visitors breathtaking views from various overlooks and benches.

The arboretum contains nine distinct tree collections, including maples, oaks, crabapples, dogwoods, nut trees, and urban trees, along with specialty gardens such as shrub and streamside gardens. It also features Houston and Grossman ponds, created in the 1980s to add aquatic ecosystems.

The arboretum is highly regarded for its landscape design, which integrates natural landforms with cultivated gardens, and it offers several miles of walking trails. In addition, it boasts the Zucker Shrub Collection, a highlight for visitors, and provides educational signage for self-guided tours through various locations. 

The arboretum's history traces back to its development from a farm and pasture in the early 20th century, with significant contributions from the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The transformation into a formal arboretum was driven by the generosity of Floyd R. “Flood” Newman in the 1980s, culminating in its dedication in 1982. Today, it serves as a scenic, educational, and research-focused landscape, attracting visitors and students who appreciate its beauty and ecological diversity.