Arboretum: A botanical garden devoted to trees.

                                                                                              - Oxford English Dictionary

Our VISION

We envision a world that respects, cares for, and is curious about environmental diversity, regional history, and natural beauty.

Our Mission

Our mission is to conserve, enhance, and celebrate our distinctive Catskill sanctuary through sustainable horticulture, responsible land stewardship, and innovative educational programming.

OUR HIStoRY

Mountain Top Arboretum was founded by Peter and Bonnie Ahrens, whose summer home overlooked a seven-acre parcel of mountain top scrubland. Acting on their passion for trees and nature, the Ahrens decided to acquire the land, bring in topsoil and plant trees. Their idea was to use the mountain top’s rigorous climate at 2,400 feet elevation to study the winter hardiness of different native and exotic species.  Dr. Peter Ahrens was an early and influential research physician studying the links between cholesterol consumption and human health. He brought this scientific background to the study of trees. The Ahrens established the original seven acres as a public garden in 1977.  Over time the Arboretum has grown to 200 acres, an area which includes ecologically important and visually stunning meadows, wetlands and forests. As the Arboretum has grown in size, its commitment to land stewardship has grown as well, both in managing the important watershed ecosystem and in curating collections focused on native plant communities and their relationships to environmental health. In addition, the Arboretum conducts public programming, lectures and workshops which promote environmental stewardship and appreciation for the beauty and importance of the Catskill Mountains.