David Witte

Review of Bellefontaine Cemetery

Took a tour of the a Level II Accredited Arboret...

Took a tour of the a Level II Accredited Arboretum and learned history of St. Louis. Bellefontaine has an accessible and diverse horticultural collection, and has become an important natural sanctuary and habitat for wildlife in the urban environment. It is the only accredited arboretum in the city of St. Louis.

I found that the Bellefontaine s grounds are home to an international variety of meticulously cared-for trees and shrubs, providing a changing landscape every season. Until the mid-twentieth century, Bellefontaine Cemetery was home to a greater variety of trees than the Missouri Botanical Garden. I learned that they have over 1,100 shrubs and over 5,000 trees represent over 200 distinct varieties.