In 2016, Oaklands Park in Murfreesboro was certified by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council announced that Oaklands was designated as an arboretum. 

On May 17, Oaklands Mansion held a ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of the Native Tree Arboretum at Oaklands Park. 

“Oaklands Park is downtown Murfreesboro’s largest green space and it is a rarity for such a densely populated community,” says Connor Moss, Master Gardener at Oaklands Mansion. “The Native Tree Arboretum has recently attained level one status and will soon be elevated to level two by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.”

The plants on hte grounds will now be marked with plaques naming the type with a short explanation.

To become a TUFC certified arboretum an area must possess a significant amount of woody vegetation in a tree form that is cultivated for education, scientific, or aesthetic purposes. A certified arboretum must be open to the public, the trees must be properly labeled for educational purposes, and they must be properly protected and maintained.

The mansion and visitor center is operated by Oaklands Historic House Museum. Oaklands Park is operated and maintained by the City of Murfreesboro.

But the two groups work together to preserve and promote the historic site and its grounds.