The Kuechmann Arboretum in Lake Zurich received international recognition this month, as village officials announced ArbNet officially accredited the tree preserve.
The arboretum, at 626 N. Old Rand Road, includes nearly 8 acres of forest and two dozen species of tree, including a tree estimated to be 275 years old. ArbNet is an organization based at the Morton Arboretum in west suburban Lisle that recognizes tree preserves worldwide and encourages leaders of them to share their resources with local communities and develop their arboretums.
Natalya Safonova, left and Maggie Gulledge, right, co-troop leader of Lake Zurich Boy Scout Troop 93, were among the volunteers Feb. 20, 2021 who helped remove woody, invasive buckthorn at Kuechmann Arboretum in Lake Zurich. In Aug. 2024, ArbNet officially accredited the tree preserve. (Karie Angell Luc/for Pioneer Press)
The Keuchmann Arboretum is ranked level one – the most basic level – out of four, and is said to only now be developed after it has “largely been neglected” for years.
Tucked between a golf course and the eponymous waters of Lake Zurich, the arboretum is an unassuming and still mostly undeveloped piece of real estate about a mile from the downtown area. It is home to oaks, elms, pine and black cherry trees.
The village developed a nature playscape in the arboretum in 2021, though it is primarily still a wild area with some walking trails, open free to the public though without any permanent staff on site.
At the Aug. 19 Lake Zurich Village Board meeting where he announced the distinction, Trustee Marc Spacone, sitting in for Mayor Tom Poynton, praised the recognition. ArbNet officials said the designation is a reward of sorts.
“ArbNet arboretum accreditation provides recognition for achievement of specified levels of practice,” Andrea Brennan, the manager of the program, explained. “which in turn helps arboreta earn distinction in their professional and local communities.”
The designation also offers the arboretum encouragement and a path forward for developing its resources. The first level shows the arboretum is managed and has at least 25 species and volunteer staff with the fourth level indicating paid staff, over 500 species, dedicated conservation and collections and significant education programs.
“The different levels of the program allow for milestones and benchmarks to help guide future growth and gain further recognition,” said Brennan. “As arboretum levels increase, so do the requirements in terms of the minimum number of labeled tree and other woody plant taxa, the amount and type of paid staff; the scope and complexity of public engagement and education; development of a collections policy; collaboration with other arboreta; data-sharing; and tree science, planting, and conservation activities.”
With 25 tree species the Keuchmann Arboretum may be far from being a level four tree preserve, but with the accreditation comes the possibility of growth. Brennan said once an arboretum is accredited, it’s easier for an organization to network with other arboretums.
“Becoming accredited also means the arboretum has joined the ArbNet community, which supports opportunities for collaboration and information exchange with other arboreta and tree professionals,” she said.
