Trees and Shrubs

Over 2,000 trees and shrubs have been planted at the Brenton Arboretum. Our collection of 175 species of woody plants includes trees that have been introduced to central Iowa as well as trees and shrubs native to Iowa. Visitors enjoy discovering trees at our141 acre Arboretum. They find new trees to plant in home yards and gardens, trees from our diminishing Iowa habitat and trees with history and sentiment.

For more information about our special collections of Iowa trees and research projects please click on the links below.

Complete List of Trees and Shrubs Crab Apple Collection List The Native Iowa Collection List Brenton Conifer Research Project View the Landscape Plan

The trees and shrubs at the Brenton Arboretum are planted in groups of the same species, so visitors can see the similarities and differences. By planting a group of 12 red oaks beside a collection of 6 scarlet oaks, for example, visitors can easily compare the differences between these two types of oaks as well as compare the trees within each group for individual characteristics.

We have intentionally planted our trees in informal, natural groupings. These groupings blend in with our natural landscape of native prairie, wetlands and other natural habitat areas. The trees and shrubs in ravines and stream banks have been left in their natural state to provide wildlife habitat.

See a complete list of trees and shrubs that can be found at The Brenton Arboretum. The list includes the botanical name of the trees/plants along with their common name.