The Atlanta Beltline Arboretum officially has the world’s longest linear arboretum, spanning 12.44-miles of the completed trail.
The arboretum continues to grow, reaching 16.7 miles of trail by summer 2026, and progresses toward completion of the full 22-mile loop by 2030. It maintains Level II accreditation from ArbNet, an international network of more than 900 arboreta.
This new designation recognizes two decades of partnership between Atlanta Beltline, Inc., and Trees Atlanta to plant the arboretum along each mile of the 22-mile rail-to-trail conversion, according to a news release.
“As we celebrate our 20th year and prepare to welcome FIFA World Cup 2026™ visitors with even more miles of trail, the arboretum highlights how urban redevelopment can showcase biodiversity and ecosystem restoration while catalyzing economic development, new affordable housing, and future mobility/transit infrastructure for generations,” Beltline CEO/President Clyde Higgs said in a statement. “We’re proud that as we connect more than 45 neighborhoods, we’re doing it not just with trails but also with an ecological corridor of native Georgia plants, creating an urban oasis where people can relax and see birds, butterflies, and other species attracted to this habitat.”
The 60-acre arboretum links directly to more than 400 acres of parks, 13.6 miles of mainline trail, and 11 miles of connector trails, creating a growing network of connected greenspaces adjacent to the Beltline, often described as an “emerald necklace.”
Trees Atlanta has also planted over 700,000 native plants, including grasses and wildflowers, along the corridor, according to the release.
“Trees are iconic to Atlanta’s identity, and Georgia is special in its incredible diversity of plants and trees. Before the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum was created, there was no other arboretum in the city of Atlanta,” Trees Atlanta Executive Director Greg Levine said in a statement. “We’re proud that the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum is the world’s longest linear arboretum and is free and accessible to millions of people. The Atlanta Beltline Arboretum is an important part of Atlanta’s urban forest and brings attention to the benefits of trees for the health and well-being of people, wildlife, and the natural environment. Our 20-year collaboration has built a unique botanical garden that demonstrates how trees and greenspaces improve where we live.”
The arboretum features several art collections of interest, including 33 Oaks which shows Georgia’s native oak species. Each of the species is planted on the Eastside Trail interspersed with a striking art installation of each tree’s leaf shape in large polished stainless steel by Atlanta artist David Landis. This and four other art installations have been donated to the Beltline Arboretum by Trees Atlanta to inspire and support education.
For more information about the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum, visit this link.