Congratulations to the City of Pasadena Hills on earning Level I Arboretum Accreditation—an exciting recognition of the city’s commitment to protecting and growing its urban forest.
We’re proud that Beyond Housing’s Forestry Department helped support this achievement through the city’s tree inventory and our ongoing partnership to improve and expand the community’s tree canopy through hazard tree removals and free tree plantings.
A great milestone for Pasadena Hills and another step toward a healthier, greener community.
Pasadena Hills Earns Arboretum Certification
North County City joins global tree conservation and education network
The City of Pasadena Hills, Missouri, is proud to announce that it has achieved successful accreditation as a Level I Aboretum, and will be listed alongside thousands of tree-focused public and private organizations in The Morton Register of Arboreta.
The Morton Register of Arboreta is a global, comprehensive database curated by ArbNet that lists tree-focused public and private organizations. It spans recognized botanical gardens, municipal parks, university campuses, zoos, and cemeteries dedicated to woody plant stewardship.
There are approximately 1800 trees in the Pasadena Hills canopy. About 700 in common ground areas are maintained by a joint effort between the City and the Board of Trustees, a volunteer group comprised of residents of the city. The remainder are on residential private property and are maintained by the homeowners.
To achieve a Level I Arboretum Accreditation through the globally recognized ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program (sponsored by The Morton Arboretum), Pasadena Hills met or exceeded the five core criteria:
- Arboretum Plan: A documented plan, master plan, or strategic plan that defines the purpose and goals of your arboretum.
- Governing Group: An organized governing body or committee responsible for oversight.
- Staff and Volunteers: At least one dedicated staff member or volunteer to manage tree care and operations.
- Labeled Collection: A documented, living collection of at least 25 different labeled taxa (e.g., species, subspecies, cultivars) of trees and woody plants. Pasadena Hills has 66 species.
- Public Access & Education: Open to the public with at least one tree-related event, tour, or educational program offered annually.
About Pasadena Hills
Pasadena Hills, a member of Tree City USA, is one of the St. Louis area’s least-known historically significant neighborhoods. The tight-knit city is nestled on 140 acres a mile northwest of the city of St. Louis, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Developed in 1928 and primarily designed by town planner and landscape architect Roland H. Buchmueller, it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in St. Louis County.
The architecturally diverse homes were inspired by European influences, such as French Eclectic, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival. Twentieth-century American movements, including Craftsman and the Prairie School, are also represented. The grand entrance to Pasadena Hills is represented by a striking Gothic tower, designed by architect T.P. Barnett. At 65 feet, it’s the tallest neighborhood monument in the metro area.
