A Cemetery History in 8 Trees

The trees in African Cemetery No. 2 have been witness to its founding in 1870 during the Reconstruction period to its demise during the Jim Crow era to its rebirth as a Memorial Garden in 1980. Join us for a short walking tour through the 8 acres of the cemetery to learn about some of its specimen native trees and how they relate to the history of the cemetery and Lexington’s urban tree canopy. See how African Cemetery No. 2 is being turned into an Arboretum in Lexington’s East End and participating in restoring tree canopy in the urban core. We will visit trees present at the founding of the cemetery, trees reflecting invasive diseases, trees showing the long-term benefits of tree planting, and trees notable as forage for animals and people.