For over two centuries, Historic Congressional Cemetery has stood as a serene and storied sanctuary on Capitol Hill. The 35-acre urban green space weaves together history, nature, and culture, offering visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the nation’s past while enjoying its tranquil beauty. The cemetery’s role as a steward of nature is expanding with its conservation initiative to become an ‘Accredited Arboretum’.
In 2024, Congressional Cemetery began a new community collaboration in environmental stewardship. With the support of a Partners for Plants (P4P) grant awarded by the Garden Club of America and Trowel Garden Club, the cemetery launched a three-year partnership to enhance its arboreal landscape. Working closely with Casey Trees, this undertaking will serve to strengthen the cemetery’s tree-focused conservation program within the memorial park.
Arboretum Accreditation
The cornerstone of this effort is the pursuit of Level I Arboretum Accreditation through ArbNet, an international organization dedicated to advancing the goals of arboreta worldwide. Achieving this designation will involve an ongoing commitment to tree conservation, education, and public engagement. Key project activities include species selection, tree identification, and the tagging of a diverse array of trees to create a living catalog for visitors.
The cemetery’s arboreal collection reflects a rich blend of history and renewal. Among its collection are old-growth witness trees that have stood sentry next to prominent gravesites during the past century, along with more than 500 trees thoughtfully planted by Casey Trees over the past two decades. Together, they form a dynamic and evolving landscape that highlights the critical role of urban forestry in fostering biodiversity, resilience, and beauty.
Tree Walk Through History
A key feature of the arboretum project is the newly launched ‘Tree Walk Through History’ – a quarter-mile arboreal path showcasing significant memorial sites while highlighting the cemetery’s tree diversity. The trail weaves through picturesque tree tunnels, or bordering allées formed by the tree branches by American hornbeam, Kwanzan cherry, and Chinese elm trees, among others.
The signature tree walk honors the cemetery’s historical legacy while promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Plans for the arboretum include labeling two dozen distinct species of trees with their botanical and common names for visitors to identify and enjoy.
Among the highlights of the tour is the Circle of Life, an outdoor contemplative gathering space surrounded by a circular “tree-henge” of eight American linden trees (also known as basswoods) planted in 2020. Each young tree is aligned with a navigational point on the central compass sundial. As they mature, their respective tree shadows across the compass will mark the changing seasons and the sun’s celestial path during solstices and equinoxes. This living ‘tree-henge’ is a tribute to nature’s perseverance and the ebb and flow of time that gives way to another day, and another season.
Upcoming Tree Festivities
To mark Arbor Day Weekend 2025, Congressional will host a ‘Tree Walk Through History’ parade and spring tree planting event on Sunday, April 27, from 5pm to 7pm. The celebration will feature a rousing drumming performance by Batalá, Washington’s all-female percussion band. Playing their Afro-Brazilian Samba-Reggae rhythms, Batalá will lead revelers in a spirited 2nd line procession, weaving through the arboretum’s canopy tree tunnels and totem pole arch, and ultimately gathering at the Circle of Life.
All are welcome to participate. Watch for upcoming details in the cemetery’s April calendar.
