The Living Landscape:
Arboretum Events and Programs
Explore. Learn. Connect. Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum is more than a final resting place; it is a vital, living museum dedicated to horticulture, history, and community education. Our events and programs are designed to immerse you in the natural beauty of our grounds, connect you with the history of our nearly 10,000 trees, and support the critical conservation work that maintains this urban forest for future generations.
Signature Walking Tours
Our popular Walking Tours are led by expert horticulturists , focusing on specific botanical collections, history, and seasonal changes. These tours offer a personal, intimate, and slower-paced way to experience our expansive grounds, allowing for close-up views and an immersive sensory experience.
Winter Shrub Walks
This tour focuses on the various shrubs, and a handful of small trees, that come together within the Wildwood Valley garden and surrounding area to form the backbone and structure of this formal garden space in winter.
Spring Bulb Walk
This tour begins at our main entrance, proceeds along the “White Line,” and passes our most expansive garden, Wildwood Valley and its bulb meadow. This tour will focus on the various early season bulbs, shrubs, and trees in bloom this time of year.
Spring Flowering Tree Walk
This tour focuses on what is currently blooming amongst Bellefontaine’s collection of about 10,000 trees and shrubs, representing nearly 600 distinct species, selections, and varieties.
Wildwood Valley Garden Walks:
This tour focuses on the various annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees that come together within the Wildwood Valley garden and its surrounding areas to form a peaceful and relaxing composition.
Summer Wildflower Walk
This tour strolls on our trails through our reconstructed prairie and woodland areas. This tour will focus on the various native plantings that make up these important urban wildlife habitats.
Fall Tree Walks
This tour focuses on the fantastic fall color shows of Bellefontaine’s collection. Learn more about what makes Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum an extraordinary horticulture treasure in St. Louis!
Seasonal Trolley Tours
For a comfortable and comprehensive overview, our Trolley Tours provide a relaxing two-hour journey to cover greater distances, highlighting the most significant and rare trees in our collection while exploring the cemetery's prominent memorial and architectural treasures. These tours are fully accessible. Our horticulture trolley tours change seasonally to showcase the best of the arboretum at that time of year. Both walking and trolley tours are offered regularly throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Horticultural Workshops and Classes
We believe in the importance of continuous learning and stewardship. Throughout the year, we host specialized workshops and classes focusing on practical horticultural skills, tree identification, garden design, and local ecology. These programs are perfect for gardeners and
plant enthusiasts
of all levels, offering hands-on experiences led by our certified staff and visiting experts. They provide a deeper understanding of the plant life.
Come get some hands-on experience within one of
Missouri’s greatest tree/shrub collections!
Signature On-Site Seasonal Events
Each year, we take the opportunity to honor and appreciate the stunning beauty of our natural surroundings through two significant events: Arbor Day, where we plant trees and promote environmental awareness, and our Fall Field Day, a celebration filled with activities that showcase the richness of our landscape and the importance of conservation.
Arbor Day Celebration
This annual event is a major celebration of trees and conservation, open to all. Special activities often include free, specialized walking tours and a two-hour trolley tour that focuses on the general history of the Cemetery with an emphasis on our status as an ArbNet accredited Level III Arboretum. Attendees often receive complimentary tree saplings to take home, promoting the growth of our urban forest throughout the community.
Fall Field Day
This celebrated annual community event includes live demonstrations on tree care , learning, and the beauty of fall. It features fall-themed light refreshments and snacks, live demonstrations on tree care (planting, pruning, watering, identification) presented by our horticulture staff, and collaborative programs with partners like the Missouri Department of Conservation and St. Louis City Forestry. Attendees often receive a free tree sapling. These gatherings are highlights of our annual calendar.
Support Our Living Collection
Every tour and educational program is made possible by the generosity of our community. As a non-profit, the ongoing care and maintenance of the arboretum require continuous support. By making a gift, you help us preserve our historic tree collection, expand our educational offerings, and ensure this beautiful green space thrives for generations to come.
To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine: 📞 Call our office: 314-381-0750
