The Old Forest Arboretum of Overton Park is a 172-acre preserved forest in Memphis that combines a public arboretum with one of the city’s oldest surviving native woodlands. Protected since 1901 as part of the land acquired for Overton Park, it retains original climax oak-hickory forest and supports a rich variety of native plants. Tree identification begun in 1997 led to arboretum certification, and later botanical work documented hundreds of flowering plant species while highlighting both notable specimen trees and threats from invasive plants. The forest also became central to major preservation fights, including the successful effort to stop Interstate 40 through Overton Park and later resistance to zoo expansion.

Memphis, Tennessee · USA