Island Cemetery Arboretum

Founded during the rise of America’s rural cemetery movement, Island Cemetery was envisioned not simply as a burial ground, but as a carefully designed landscape where nature, memory, and public life could coexist. Like the great landscaped cemeteries of the 19th century, its winding drives, ornamental plantings, and shaded pathways reflected a growing belief that cemeteries should serve as places of beauty, contemplation, and refuge within an increasingly urbanized environment. Today, that original vision remains evident throughout the grounds.

Home to hundreds of mature specimen trees, historic shrubs, and ornamental plantings that have survived for generations and continue to shape the character of the landscape, these collections contribute not only to the beauty and ecological value of the cemetery itself, but also to Newport’s broader network of historic arboreta and significant cultural landscapes. As an accredited arboretum and an active partner of the Newport Tree Conservancy, Island Cemetery recognizes the importance of preserving and stewarding these living collections as both environmental and historic assets.

With a stewardship approach rooted in sound horticultural practices and contemporary principles of urban ecology, each year, we conduct ongoing assessments of our trees, shrubs, and landscape conditions to identify aging, diseased, hazardous, or declining plant material and to guide thoughtful replacement planning. Preservation of mature canopy trees remains a priority whenever possible, while new plantings are selected with long-term sustainability, climate resilience, and site appropriateness in mind.

As we restore and maintain different sections of the cemetery, we focus on environmentally responsible landscape management practices that support the long-term health of the urban forest. These efforts include responsible water use, erosion and sediment control, soil health management, invasive species monitoring, and the protection of root systems during construction and restoration projects. By balancing preservation with sustainability, Island Cemetery seeks to ensure that its historic landscape continues to thrive for future generations while contributing positively to Newport’s environmental health and green infrastructure.

Beyond their environmental importance, these landscapes also play a cultural and community role. The cemetery’s trees and gardens provide shade, habitat, seasonal beauty, and a sense of tranquility for visitors, families, historians, and residents alike. In preserving this historic landscape, Island Cemetery continues a tradition that began more than a century ago: creating a place where remembrance and nature exist together in harmony. Click on the interactive map below to engage with the arboretum map of the cemetery provided by the Newport Tree Conservancy.