Schenley Arboretum

After consulting with our friends at Friends of Mellon Park about their arboretum, and meeting with staff from the City of Pittsburgh Forestry Division, we’ve selected Flagstaff Hill as a perfect location for a Schenley Arboretum and are pursuing accreditation through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program.

A fascinating walk around Flagstaff Hill in October 2026 with Michael Kelley, a city arborist, turned up an osage orange (aka “monkey ball”) and a tree that was struck by lightning (see photos above, courtesy of FOSP Board Member Erin Brault). Pictured below, left to right, are Chestnut, Shingle and Willow Oaks—three of a wide variety of oaks on the hill.

Flagstaff Hill and
Schenley Arboretum
Resources

Flagstaff Hill Pathways & Entrance Improvement Project - Led by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Projected completion date, spring 2027.

Flagstaff Hill tree distribution map - According to city arborist Michael Kelley, there are 198 trees in fair or better condition across Flagstaff Hill (although the number may be slightly more or less depending on recent plantings and tree loss).  These trees represent 29 species; more than enough diversity to qualify as a Level 1 arboretum.