Berlin-Dahlem Arboretum

The arboretum is the tree and shrub garden inside the Botanical Garden Berlin, in the Lichterfelde area right on the Dahlem border. It came about as part of the large new layout begun in 1899 on the former Dahlem estate under director Adolf Engler and the architect Alfred Koerner. The official opening of the whole garden took place on May 24 and 25, 1910, once all the buildings were finished. At roughly 34 acres (13.9 hectares), the arboretum takes up a large share of the more than 106-acre grounds, occupying the southern and western sections.

Engler conceived the outdoor grounds as a sprawling landscape garden in which plants stand in naturalistic groupings rather than rigid beds. The arboretum presents a systematic collection of native trees and shrubs along with hardy woody plants from different climate zones. It borders both halves of the Eichenteich pond, so shoreline and aquatic plants can be seen in their natural setting too. Curving paths run through stands of old trees, across meadows and along the pond banks.

For visitors the arboretum is above all a quiet place away from the big display houses. If you want to skip the crowds at the Great Tropical House, you will find shaded walking paths, benches, and in fall an intense show of foliage color. Botany enthusiasts appreciate the species labeling, and families come for an easy afternoon outdoors. Since the arboretum is part of the Botanical Garden, the garden's regular ticket applies. Check specific prices and hours with the Botanical Garden, as they vary by season.