On November 12, 2025, more than 100 American Chestnut stump sprouts were carefully cut and treated at Viles Arboretum to make room for the next phase of The American Chestnut Foundation's (TACF) restoration efforts. This marks a meaningful moment for a project that has been taking shape here for more than four decades. 

Over the past year, we've been working on an exciting and meaningful project: creating a 1.27-mile fully accessible loop trail at Viles Arboretum. This trail will open new possibilities for visitors of all abilities, allowing everyone to experience the beauty and wonder of nature up close. 

Professionals and organizations who wish to use the Arboretum grounds for commercial purposes must make a booking on our rental calendar for the date and time you will be utilizing our space.

At Viles Arboretum, we believe that connections with nature can last a lifetime. Sometimes those connections are quiet - a moment spent listening to birds, feeling the texture of bark, or wandering along a trail. Other times, they are woven into the stories of families and communities, growing stronger with each visit. This fall, one such story came to life when a family returned to see a very special tree they had helped plant more than a decade ago. 

Keeping track of plants in a living landscape is never a finished job. Plants grow, change, and sometimes disappear, and new discoveries are always waiting around the corner. Still, documenting what we have is essential for caring for the Arboretum, sharing it with our visitors, and planning for the future. This year, we reached a major milestone: completing our survey of all Arboretum specimens with historic documentation.

It's salamander season again at Viles Arboretum! As the ground warms and spring settles in, our Eastern Red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) are becoming active again! These small but mighty amphibians have been tucked away underground all winter, and now they're venturing closer to the surface. This spring, we'll host a series of hands-on volunteer events where you'll have the opportunity to search for salamanders, record their numbers and sizes, and help monitor the health of our forest. 

Here at Viles Arboretum, we're proud to steward many different varieties of apple trees in both our Heritage and Ancestral Apple Orchards. Apples have a long fascinating history in America, and perhaps no figure is more closely associated with their legacy than "Johnny Appleseed."

Viles Arboretum is excited to once again partner with the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation to offer American chestnut seedlings for sale as part of the ongoing effort to restore of this iconic species.

Ever wondered how the red botanical tags at Viles Arboretum got there? This winter, we set out to update plant records, armed with old maps, handwritten notes, and plenty of patience. What seemed like a simple tagging project quickly became a journey through the history of the Urban and Community Forestry Collection—revealing just how much the landscape has changed since 1992.

Viles Arboretum has been thriving, with busy trails, numerous events, and a bright outlook for the future. As we look ahead to 2024, there are a couple of areas that need attention so this years appeal is focused on two key areas: enhancing trail accessibility and building climate change awareness in our community. These initiatives will ensure that more visitors, regardless of mobility concerns, can fully enjoy the Arboretum, while also deepening our role in educating the community about the critical challenges posed by climate change. This year’s appeal is dedicated to these efforts, helping us create a more inclusive and informed space for everyone who visits. Both projects require significant resources, and we can't do it alone. Together, we can create a place where everyone can learn, grow, and connect with nature.