Long before public gardens and arboretums existed to fulfill the public’s desire to commune with nature, cemeteries helped to fill that need, as visitors could enjoy the serene beauty of the landscape and wildlife while also honoring the memory of loved ones. Although surprisingly few cemeteries today are also designated as arboretums, this is a distinction that Fairview is proud to hold. Originally dedicated in 1868, the modest 17-acre site grew and evolved, undergoing several expansions. By the turn of the century, the cemetery had undergone many changes and significant development as the “city beautiful” movement—an effort fueled by local governments and private individuals taking an increased interest in the planning of cemeteries and parks—took hold in Union County. Under the guidance of engineers and landscape architects, Fairview matured into the elegant 105-acre network of curving drives and thoughtful selection of diverse tree species that you see today.
In 2002 Dr. Tom Ombrello, professor of Biology at neighboring Union County College, along with his students, worked diligently to catalogue and inventory 60 species within the cemetery grounds. This work enabled the cemetery to apply for and receive arboretum status, as a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental conservation. In 2017, the number of catalogued tree species reached 99. With additional work and development, in spring 2021 the board of trustees of Fairview was pleased to announce a promotion to level II arboretum status. As a level II arboretum, Fairview will expand its educational programs, as well as continue to increase the number of catalogued species under a new accessioning policy. As of 2020, the number of cataloged species was increased to a total of 103.
As part of its ongoing programming, Fairview hosts annual arboretum walking tours each spring and fall, highlighting some of the numerous trees on the grounds. Led by Dr. Ombrello, the tours draw attention to an array of species, their history, significance, and interest. However, the public is invited to walk the majestic rolling hills, view the many beautiful trees, and observe a variety of birds and wildlife any day of the year. Fairview Cemetery is located at 1100 East Broad Street in Westfield, New Jersey, and is open daily from sunrise to sunset. To enhance your experience, Friends of Fairview has installed new display labels featuring QR codes on all of our catalogued trees. In conjunction with a map of the grounds, this allows the observer to take a self-guided walking tour simply by using a smart phone to view the location and details of each specimen.
You can also access full botanical details from the Tree List.
