Skip to: Skip to main content | Skip to additional content | Skip to this section's navigation | Skip to Find People, For Faculty/Staff and sitewide search | Skip to the main navigation | Buffalo State

About Buffalo State

The Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum

History

The arboretum at Buffalo State was formally dedicated in 1962 with the ceremonial planting of a Scotch elm in honor of Maud Gordon Holmes, founder of the Garden Center Institute of Buffalo. Since then, the arboretum has grown from approximately 300 trees to 1,700 trees. Because the objective of an arboretum is to grow trees and shrubs for scientific and educational purposes, the Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum contains more than 100 needle- and leaf-bearing varieties of woody plants, including many ornamentals. The campus displays greenery year-round while marking the seasons with fragrant blossoms, shade-giving trees, and luminous autumn colors.

Trees for all Seasons

Most people visit arboretums during the flowering and full-leaf seasons of spring and summer, but arborists and artists also appreciate the unique beauty of trees in winter. The intricate and varied patterns of tree branches can best be seen after the leaves have fallen. Evergreens—both trees and shrubs—are appreciated most during the winter months.

Different species put forth buds and leaves throughout the spring. The arboretum has many Kwanzan cherry trees, the same variety that gives Washington, D.C., its annual Cherry Blossom Festival. In Buffalo, the Kwanzan cherry blooms from middle to late May. Other spring blooming trees include the horsechestnut, hawthorn, linden, crabapple, pear, and lilac. In summer, trees are in full leaf. One of the easiest ways to identify a tree is to study its leaves, so many people choose this season to visit. This is also a delightful season to bring a book to enjoy under a shady tree!

Most fruits appear from midsummer to early fall, when the leaves change color. The bright display continues until autumn wind and rain sweep the last leaves off the trees and reveal once again the delicate lace of branches against a winter sky.

Indoor Collections

Several indoor collections provide year-round color and the opportunity to grow tropical plants. Collections are located in:

Download a Map

Download a color map of the The Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum (PDF 584KB).

For Your Convenience

Parking
Parking permits are required except at meters. Stop at the University Police office in Chase Hall for a free temporary permit, or use the parking meters for visitors in Lots C, D-1, L-2, and X.

Rest Rooms
Public rest rooms are located in most buildings, including E. H. Butler Library and Campbell Student Union.

Refreshments
Visit Signature Café (Butler Library) or Java-U (Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore in the Student Union).

Sculpture on Campus

While visiting, don't forget to check out the many large-scale sculptures created by regional, national, and international artists that dot the campus landscape. More >>