TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – The national tree-planting day, known as Arbor Day is a source of Pride for the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, between the Hudson River and Route 9. The cemetery has been accredited through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.
To celebrate, the cemetery is planting 23 new trees on Arbor Day, recognized this year on Friday, April 26.
The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery received Level 1 recognition and is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants. The criteria needed to receive a Level 1 accreditation can be found here.
The cemetery overlooks the Hudson River and is situated on 165 acres of rolling hills, tranquil waters, and a wide variety of trees which create a park-like sanctuary. The grounds were laid out by landscape architect Howard Daniels, and the opening ceremony took place on November 2, 1853.
Superintendent Brian Berryann said, “The purpose of this Arboretum is to preserve and enhance the collection of trees and plants that serve as the backbone of our 165-acre rural cemetery. To keep the splendor and beauty that residents of our community have come to know and love over our 170 years of operation.”
Berryann pointed out that the cemetery is home to more than 2,200 trees representing 120 different species. During the accreditation assessment, every single tree was physically touched, identified, labeled, and assessed for the health of the tree. The tree and shrub inventory is being mapped using GIS. Appropriate signage and labeling have been placed proximate to each plant in the Arboretum collection identifying the species and providing other relevant characteristics and information, including its scientific and common names, and native range, Berryann . “The goal is to promote learning opportunities for the public and increase awareness of Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery’s unique ecosystem,” he noted.
The superintendent said the collection of trees beautifies the landscape for grieving families, cemetery staff, and visitors by providing flowers, foliage, fall colors, and winter greenery. The additional benefits include offering shade during the hot summer months, improving air quality, reducing stormwater runoff and erosion, and providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators.
The cemetery will be updating its website to include a “tree-finder” page that will offer information on taking a walking tour of the numerous species of trees and shrubs. The main website can be found here.
