Happy Creek Arboretum

A space to enjoy…a place to learn.

The earliest know arboretum was recorded in ancient Egypt where foreign trees like frankincense and ebony were collected for their exotic beauty, shade and scientific study.  The focus of the collection at Happy Creek Arboretum is on trees that thrive in this area, with about 30 trees identified with both their common and scientific names.

Happy Creek Arboretum is an introductory type of educational facility.  It is ideal for the serious landscaper who wants to see what a particular tree would look like around a home at maturity.  It is equally ideal for the beginning student of tree study, child or adult, to learn identification characteristics such as names, bud and branch patterns, and leaf shapes.

Observing the different faces of the trees through the seasons allows seeing tree responses to proper care like correct pruning and mulching.  In general, you can begin your study of tree science, advance it, or just plan a sensible and beautiful landscape around your home.

The Arboretum is located just off Commerce Street in Front Royal between Main St. and Prospect St.  We recommend that you park near the Visitor Center on Main St. Map
Some of the trees featured at the Happy Creek Arboretum:

  • Apple Serviceberry
  • Carolina Silverbell
  • Fringetree
  • Redbud
  • Red Maple
  • Scarlet Oak
  • Sweetbay Magnolia
  • Weeping Higan Cherry
  • Winter King Hawthorn
  • Witch-hazel