Rooted in Legacy, Growing for the Future

 

At Chatham Hall, we love our trees. That love stretches back more than a century and reflects our deep commitment to stewardship, sustainability, and the beauty of our 365-acre campus. This year, that commitment took root in a powerful way.

Since November 2025, eleven new tree species have been added to campus, expanding the diversity of our landscape and strengthening the future of our arboretum. New species include Kentucky coffeetree, Osage orange, Pignut hickory, Sweetbay magnolia, Overcup oak, Nuttall oak, Willow oak, Bald cypress, American hornbeam, Hackberry, and Planetree. In addition, eight species already growing on campus have been reinforced with new plantings, including Black gum, Flowering dogwood, Persimmon, Swamp white oak, Southern magnolia, Jefferson American elm, Ginkgo, and Tulip poplar.

With these additions, our arboretum collection now features twenty-six distinct species, part of a landscape that is both historic and evolving. Registered in 2024 as a Level I ArbNet-accredited arboretum, Chatham Hall’s tree canopy is intentionally maintained through structured pruning, risk assessment, thoughtful harvesting, and consistent replanting.

Whether newly planted or standing for generations, each tree reflects Chatham Hall’s enduring care for this place. Our landscape tells a story of resilience, renewal, and responsibility. As we continue to grow our arboretum and diversify our campus canopy, we are not simply planting trees. We are investing in the future.