Kensico Cemetery’s Arboretum Achieves Level II Status

Kensico Cemetery’s Arboretum Achieves Level II Status
The Only Cemetery in Westchester County with that Designation

Kensico Cemetery, located in Valhalla, NY announced its recent achievement of Level II Arboretum status, continuing its commitment to enhancing its natural landscapes and fostering an environment of remembrance. This elevation marks a significant milestone, positioning Kensico Cemetery as the sole arboretum in Westchester County with a Level II designation, one of only three certified arboretums in the county, and one of only six cemeteries in New York State that have achieved Level II or greater.

In March 2022, Kensico was designated as a Level I Arboretum with certified examples of 44 different tree varieties. Soon after, the process of attaining Level II certification began. This involved identifying and labeling 57 additional types of trees and woody plant taxa from the thousands of existing plants and trees throughout its 460 acres. Kensico now has a total of 101 certified specimens in its vast collection of trees representing both native species and species from different regions of the globe.

Michael H. Cook, Jr., Vice President, Superintendent of Grounds, and ISA-certified arborist explained:

“As a public garden, an important consideration was making sure that all the identified and marked trees were accessible to the public and easily seen from Kensico’s main roads. Correctly identifying those species of trees along that route required the diligent process of examining leaves, bark, twigs and leaf buds.”

The upgrade, certified by the accrediting body ArbNet, underscores the ongoing efforts invested in expanding the arboretum. Richard Schnall, a Kensico Cemetery Board Member and horticulturalist said, “Attaining Level II recognizes Kensico’s diverse collection of trees and shrubs and the high level of arboricultural care that goes into maintaining them”.

There are four different levels of accreditation granted by ArbNet. All levels require a strategic plan, a focus on woody species, public access, and participation in the ArbNet community. Qualifications for Level II status involved paid management, a collections policy, and enhanced public and educational programs, which Kensico plans to implement throughout the Spring.

In addition to their annual Arbor Day Ceremony, the charitable organization Friends of The Kensico Cemetery will offer a free tree planting demonstration on April 27th and is developing new tree walking tours with dates to be announced in April.

Previous natural developments by the cemetery include an apiary producing fresh honey and a Monarch Station with milkweed, a native flowering plant crucial to the monarch butterfly’s life cycle, all set within the cemetery’s 460-acre grounds. The Kensico Cemetery Arboretum plans to further expand its programs and improve its landscape as a part of collective efforts to continue to beautify the tree-focused public garden.

Matthew G. Parisi, President of Kensico Cemetery, remarked, “The beauty of Kensico, accentuated by trees and plantings, has been a tradition for 135 years. Our dedication to curating a picturesque environment remains unwavering. This accomplishment reflects the continuous promise to Kensico’s lot owners and the community to maintain these standards for centuries to come. We are excited for the upcoming events to celebrate this achievement.”

Kensico Cemetery and its grounds are open to the public seven days a week.

To learn more about the Kensico Cemetery Arboretum or access the list of specimens and tree map, visit https://www.kensico.org/arboretum. For updates and registration for upcoming events and educational programs, visit https://www.kensico.org/events/.

ArbNet is an international arboretum accreditation and networking program supported and coordinated through The Morton Arboretum, with partners American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. ArbNet sets industry standards, fosters partnerships and collaborations, and provides guidelines for the professional development of tree-focused gardens.

Kensico Cemetery is a not-for-profit membership organization established in 1889 to serve the burial needs of families in the New York metropolitan area.

Friends of The Kensico Cemetery is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed to promote and advance the welfare of The Kensico Cemetery through historical preservation and education.