Our Mission
The Waugh Arboretum, established in 1944, is a campus-wide collection of trees. It supports a landscape for learning, research and exploration.
Ceremonial Tribute Tree Planting In Memory Of Ecaterina (Katya) Rojco
There will be a ceremonial Spaeth Alder (Alnus xspaethii) tree planted on Founder's Day, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 10 AM South West of Goessmann in memory of Ecaterina (Katya) Rojco, June 27, 2002 - February 11, 2024. The Alder is a living tribute for Katya dedicated by her beloved mother, Elena Rojco, grandmother, family and friends. Katya is remembered as an exceptional athlete, an incredible artist, and a stellar student at UMass Amherst, class of 2024, who loved and was loved deeply. Ecaterina Rojco Obituary
Founder's Day: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Watch tree climbing demos with champion climber, Stella Dee. Experience climbing yourself with instruction and assistance by Brian Kane.
One of the centerpieces of Founder's Day is the free Campus Cookout catered by UMass Dining. UMass Dining was named “Best Campus Food” by The Princeton Review for the eighth consecutive year in 2024.
Enjoy a one-hour walking tour with Michael Amato and Todd Courneyor around campus of our champion and legacy trees and gardens.
Big Sycamore
Shown is an etching by Frank A. Waugh, April 1938 - one of a curated collection by Professor Annaliese Bischoff, author of The Man Who Loved Trees, on display at the Exhibition: A Landscape Legacy.
A Landscape Legacy is an art exhibition featuring archival photos curated by Michael Amato and original works by Frank Waugh on display through 4/30/2025 at the Design Building Art Gallery, Olver Design Building, 551 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA. View Map. Gallery hours are 9 AM - 4 PM, Monday - Friday.
This is the largest sycamore in Massachusetts, in existence when the Constitution was written. Locally known as the Sunderland buttonball tree (Platanus occidentalis) in Sunderland, MA, on Route 47 just north of the intersection of Route 116. The tree is 114 feet high with a circumference of 25 feet and a spread of 143 feet.
My Turn: ‘Preserve this incredible resource and piece of history in Sunderland’
In April 2021, Brian Kane, MA Arborists Association professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation, wrote about the importance to preserve this historic Buttonball tree that was then at risk from a reconstruction project.
The Waugh Arboretum is home to over 8,000 actively managed trees of more than 350 species.
The campus supports a community of 37,700, with an enrollment of over 32,000 students. It occupies over 13.4 million gross square feet of buildings over 1,450 acres of land in the campus core. More About UMass
The Sawtooth Oak, shown on the left, is one of the arboretum's State Champion trees. It is located along Hicks Way between Bartlett Hall and the Chapel. (Photo: Courtesy of Michael Amato. Zoom In.)
Arboretum Accreditation Since 2018
The Frank A. Waugh Arboretum at UMass Amherst is accredited at the highest level of accreditation, Level IV, by the ArbNet Accreditation Program since 2018. We renew our accreditation every five years. There are only 44 Level IV accredited arboreta worldwide. The Frank A. Waugh Arboretum is proudly one of the 44.
This ongoing recognition of professional standards and capabilities bears significance for your organization and for tree-focused public gardens. As part of the Morton Register of Arboreta, you have an important role in our shared purpose to plant and conserve trees, and accreditation in this work acknowledges your commitment to and fulfillment of professional criteria.
Jill Koski, President and CEO, 4/27/2023 Award Letter
Tree Campus In Higher Education Certified Since 2014
UMass Amherst received Tree Campus Higher Education recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation since 2014. These are the five core standards required for certification:
- Establishment of a Campus Tree Advisory Committee
- Evidence of a Campus Tree Care Plan
- Verification of dedicated annual expenditures on the Campus Tree Plan
- Involvement in an Arbor Day Observance
- Institution of a Service Learning Project aimed at engaging the student body
For Over 100 Years
Much of the mature canopy of our campus arboretum is over 100 years old including the Pin Oak, class of 1908, highlighted in this short video of a few of the legacy and champion trees in our arboretum.
The Pin Oak, 1908 Class Tree removes 2172 pounds of atmospheric carbon per year. The Japanese Elm was the first of its species in America with seed brought from Japan in 1890.
Other trees in this video include: The Fernleaf Beech planted in 1894, the Weeping Alaskan Cedar, the Thornless Honeycomb and Black Tupelo.
Tree Preservation
Many of the arboretum's mature trees predate 1944. They are greatly valued by students who study forestry and horticulture and have been since the days of The Massachusetts Agricultural College (founded 1863).
The class of 1909 students transplanted this Pin Oak tree by horse and trailer. The Pin Oak still stands tall today. Class of 1909 hauling class tree, ca. 1909. University Photograph Collection (RG 130). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
Generations continue to work to preserve, rather than remove, specimen trees like the Pin Oak. In this photo from April 2001, the University's Landscape crew saved and transplanted a 52-Year Pin Oak.
UMass Amherst offers degree and non-degree programs for landscapers, lawn care providers, nursery operators, public and private grounds managers, arborists, professional gardeners, landscape and garden designers, industry sales and support professionals, and others in the green industries. Learn more about these programs that include: the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Program (LARP), the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, the School of Earth & Sustainability, the Turf Managers Certificate Program, the Green School, and the Permaculture Garden.