Founded in 1841, Woodland Cemetery was established through the leadership of John W. Van Cleve, who selected the original 40-acre site for its scenic hilltop views and remarkable natural diversity. In 1843, Van Cleve completed one of Ohio’s earliest recorded tree surveys, documenting 41 distinct species growing on the grounds.
From the beginning, Woodland’s caretakers have worked to preserve the cemetery’s finest native trees and shrubs, ensuring that the landscape’s natural beauty would endure for future generations.
Today, many of those original species can still be found throughout the cemetery, joined by a living collection that has grown to include more than 165 tree species. Woodland is especially celebrated for its oaks. With 25 oak species represented across the grounds, Woodland maintains one of the most diverse oak collections in the region.
Accredited Arboretum Status
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is proud to be recognized as one of Ohio’s most historic and biologically diverse landscapes. Over the years, Woodland has received ten State Champion Tree awards from the Ohio Division of Forestry, honoring outstanding specimens recognized as the largest of their kind in the state.
In 2018, Woodland earned Level II Accreditation from the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, acknowledging its commitment to professional standards in tree collection management, conservation, education, and public engagement.
Woodland is also listed in the Morton Register of Arboreta, an international database of arboreta and botanical gardens dedicated to the study, conservation, and preservation of woody plants around the world.
