Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, MI
Date Visited: November 24, 2006
Contact Information:
University of Michigan
1610 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104-1700
Phone: 734-647-7600
Website: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/mbgna/home
Hours of Operation:
The Gardens and Trails are open everyday from 8am-dusk
Admission: 
Free
History/Facts:
The Nichols Arboretum as well as the Matthaei Botanical Gardens were made possible by the University of Michigan in its 1817 Charter. The arboretum is located right next to the main campus and is made up of 123 acres of plants and trails. The layout of the gardens was designed by O.C. Simonds in 1906 and includes both plants native to Michigan as well as from other parts of the country and the world.
My Experience:
If you prefer a lot of color when viewing plants, November is not the best time of year to visit the Arboretum. The evergreen of the coniferous trees was beautiful but most of the deciduous trees had lost thei
r leaves. My visit was still enjoyable, but I have to admit the two previous times I have visited the arboretum were much more aesthetically pleasing. However, I intentionally wanted to get a winter view of this place. The Nichols Arboretum is very important to me because it is where my husband proposed to me and also where we got married (see wedding picture above). My only previous experience in this living museum then was in the late spring and mid-summer. What is great about a place like this is the constant change as the plants go through their life cycles.
What I love about this particular arboretum is that it has such a 
nice variety of dense trees and large open fields. Many benches are available to sit and enjoy the view, one of which is my particular favorite. It looks out over this long grassy field, which becomes a wonderful sight to see when the wind blows across the grass. It was at this bench that my husband proposed. Although the grass was not quite as green this time, it still danced for me and was very calming. The various trails within the arboretum are great for hiking and viewing the large variety of plants and trees. I not only have a favorite bench, but also a favorite tree, a large yellow oak. My husband and I got married under its huge branches. The tree is just above the Peony Gardens, probably the most famous of all the arboretum’s colle
ctions. I have yet to see the peonies in bloom but I have heard it is a beautiful sight to see. The best time to see them is in early June as shown in a picuture I found to the left. Another popular collection is one of many plants native to the Appalachian area. The arboretum is very well kept up and a great place not only for hiking, but also when it's warm enough, wading in the river. If you are ever in Ann Arbor, visit the Nichols Arboretum. Be sure to check out the events calendar, as many activities are held there throughout the year, including lectures and even theatrical performances. The Nichols Arboretum is a true treasure of Ann Arbor.
Free
History/Facts:
The Nichols Arboretum as well as the Matthaei Botanical Gardens were made possible by the University of Michigan in its 1817 Charter. The arboretum is located right next to the main campus and is made up of 123 acres of plants and trails. The layout of the gardens was designed by O.C. Simonds in 1906 and includes both plants native to Michigan as well as from other parts of the country and the world.
My Experience:
If you prefer a lot of color when viewing plants, November is not the best time of year to visit the Arboretum. The evergreen of the coniferous trees was beautiful but most of the deciduous trees had lost thei
r leaves. My visit was still enjoyable, but I have to admit the two previous times I have visited the arboretum were much more aesthetically pleasing. However, I intentionally wanted to get a winter view of this place. The Nichols Arboretum is very important to me because it is where my husband proposed to me and also where we got married (see wedding picture above). My only previous experience in this living museum then was in the late spring and mid-summer. What is great about a place like this is the constant change as the plants go through their life cycles.
What I love about this particular arboretum is that it has such a 
nice variety of dense trees and large open fields. Many benches are available to sit and enjoy the view, one of which is my particular favorite. It looks out over this long grassy field, which becomes a wonderful sight to see when the wind blows across the grass. It was at this bench that my husband proposed. Although the grass was not quite as green this time, it still danced for me and was very calming. The various trails within the arboretum are great for hiking and viewing the large variety of plants and trees. I not only have a favorite bench, but also a favorite tree, a large yellow oak. My husband and I got married under its huge branches. The tree is just above the Peony Gardens, probably the most famous of all the arboretum’s colle
ctions. I have yet to see the peonies in bloom but I have heard it is a beautiful sight to see. The best time to see them is in early June as shown in a picuture I found to the left. Another popular collection is one of many plants native to the Appalachian area. The arboretum is very well kept up and a great place not only for hiking, but also when it's warm enough, wading in the river. If you are ever in Ann Arbor, visit the Nichols Arboretum. Be sure to check out the events calendar, as many activities are held there throughout the year, including lectures and even theatrical performances. The Nichols Arboretum is a true treasure of Ann Arbor.
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