Boyce Thompson Arboretum

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According to Wikipedia, “Boyce Thompson Arboretum is the oldest and largest botanical garden in the state of Arizona.”  It is also “...one of the oldest botanical institutions west of the Mississippi River.”  The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is about 60 miles east of Phoenix, AZ at the base of a volcanic remnant, along Queen Creek. 

This arboretum really is spectacular and visiting at the end of November was especially nice with all the different hues of fall leaves.  You can find “desert plants from the United States, Mexico, Australia, Madagascar, India, China, Japan, Israel, South America, the Middle East, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Arabian Peninsula…within 135 acres of gardens.  Situated on 372 acres of scenic upland Sonoran Desert with nearly five miles of trails.”


There is also a lot of history at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.  Two homes that were built shortly after the arboretum was established in 1924 still stand today, the Crider House and the Gibson House.








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