Arbor Day Celebration

Friday, April 25, 2025

Join us on Friday, April 25th, 2025 for our Arbor Day Celebration and take part in one of our great activities on this free admission day!

Drive Thru Tree Giveaway – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Follow Signs in Parking Lot

Stop by to pick up a free tree sapling, courtesy of the Living Lands & Waters Coalition! Free bare-root trees approximately 12″ in length are distributed on a first come, first serve basis, and are limited to one per household. Trees available are Bur Oak, Swamp White Oak, Northern Red Oak, and Shagbark Hickory.

Volunteer Tree Planting – 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Meet at Clarcor Pavilion @ Greenhouse

Help our staff and other volunteers plant a half-dozen special new trees in our all-new Urban Forest Demonstration Grove!

Sign up to volunteer here, and learn more about the Urban Forest Demonstration Grove here. This project is supported by the Tree Equity Grant Program of the Morton Arboretum.

Guided Arboretum Tour – 9:30 AM
Meet at Visitor Center

Join our docent for a guided walking tour through the arboretum on this special day!

Vi Bates Wildflower Garden “Open House” – 10AM – 2PM

Be sure to visit the Vi Bates Wildflower Garden to view many of spring’s delights, and chat with our knowledgeable volunteers about what makes these plants so special!

Tree planting is made possible as part of a $49,999 subgrant awarded to Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden by The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative.

Cost: None – Arbor Day is a Free Admission Day!

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
2715 S. Main St.
Rockford, IL 61102

1 (815) 965-8146

Explore More Events

Plant Sale Fundraiser 2025

Plant Sale Fundraiser 2025

April 4th – May 4th, 2025 – Online Shopping!

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s annual Plant Sale Fundraiser is coming soon! Purchase your plants online beginning April 4th and pick up your order on May 9th or May 10th in the Garden Pavilion at Klehm.

These plants have been carefully selected to be new or unique varieties of beloved perennials that would be a great addition to your home landscape.

A Little Simplicity Tranquility Walk

A Little Simplicity Tranquility Walk

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

On this evening’s walk, we will consider, or reconsider, what we really need (or don’t need) to have a fulfilling life. And we will turn to the natural world as our guide.

In Honor Of Trees Tranquility Walk

In Honor Of Trees Tranquility Walk

Wednesday, May 14th, 2025

On this twilight stroll through the forest, we will consider the relationship we have with trees, and honor those living beings that give us so, so much.

Garden Fair Weekend 2025

Garden Fair Weekend 2025

Saturday, May 31st & Sunday, June 1st, 2025

Experience a wide variety of plants, flowers, garden décor, art, educational information booths and more! Listen to live music performances in our Fountain Garden while enjoying a meal from local food truck vendors.

Klehm is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization.

Klehm Arboretum
& Botanic Garden

2715 S. Main St.
Rockford, IL 61102

Operated in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County

Open Daily:

9:00 am – 4:00 pm*
*Last entry at 3:30 pm

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve,  Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

We are pet-friendly and leashed dogs are welcome!

Bicycles may be parked in front of the Visitors Center at dedicated racks.

No scooters, skateboards, bicycles or in-line skates on paved paths or sidewalks, please.

Admission:

Adults: $12
Seniors (62+): $10
Students (18+ with ID): $10
Children 4 -18: $10
Children 3 and under: free
Museums For All: $4

We are a proud participant in the Museums for All program, and welcome guests to present their state-issued SNAP EBT card and a valid photo ID for reduced rate admission ($4/person) for themselves and up to 3 additional guests.

© 2025 Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden Inc. All rights reserved.