Walking tour: Trees of Forest Home
About this Event
Step off the beaten path and discover a side of Forest Home that many visitors never notice. Beneath the canopy of our historic arboretum, every tree has a story to tell — if you know how to read the clues.
On this guided tree walk, we'll become nature detectives, using leaves, bark, seeds, cones, and tree shape to identify some of the remarkable species that call Forest Home home. From towering conifers to majestic hardwoods, we'll explore what makes each tree unique and how they contribute to the beauty and ecology of the cemetery.
Along the way, you'll learn surprising facts about the landscape, including the trees that were already standing long before the cemetery was established. Keep your eyes open for unusual leaves, distinctive seed pods, and hidden natural treasures as we wander through one of Milwaukee's most beautiful green spaces.
Whether you're a tree enthusiast, a casual nature lover, or simply looking for a relaxing stroll among living history, this tour offers a fresh perspective on Forest Home's nearly 200-acre arboretum.
ABOUT YOUR GUIDE
Sally Kubly is a guide with a passion for trees. With a Master Gardener Certification, board service with the Boerner Botanical Gardens and membership with a local garden club, she enjoys tree identification and has a special fondness for Forest Home, with numerous family member burials here. She has a background in Clinical Social Work and currently works as a Career Coach in private practice. Past professional work includes serving as an Adjunct Professor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
PLEASE READ
This 1.5-mile walking tour moves at a brisk pace over uneven cemetery roads and grounds. Please wear comfortable footwear and watch your step! Our tour guides have a lot to share but are on a tight timeline, so please try to stick together.
This tour will run rain or shine and will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather event. Tickets are non-refundable.
Please arrive about 10 minutes before your tour. Meet under the canopy outside Halls of History (next to the main office inside the Lincoln Avenue entrance.
Parking is free and available throughout the cemetery; however, the spots in front of the office are reserved for cemetery business Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday. There is ample parking around the chapel, in front of and to the side of Halls of History. Sundays you may park wherever you like.
After your tour, please take a moment to review us on TripAdvisor.
Proceeds from all tours and events help preserve and enhance the historical and natural elements of the cemetery.
ABOUT FOREST HOME CEMETERY & ARBORETUM
Established in 1850, Forest Home Cemetery is Milwaukee’s oldest operating cemetery, open to all since its inception. Forest Home Cemetery is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the finest example of a Victorian-era rural garden cemetery in the Upper Midwest.
In 2021, Forest Home became the city’s first accredited arboretum, Milwaukee’s largest green space with more 2,600 trees on nearly 200 acres.
Our 189 acres are open daily to the public. Leashed dogs, jogging, strollers and bicycles are welcome. Each year, we host public and private historical and nature-based tours and wellness events, birding opportunities, Doors Open, a Memorial Day event, a Dia de los Muertos 5K and festival and our new Spirits of the Silent City after-dark historical tours. Sign up for our newsletter on the website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (use #foresthomecemetery) so you don’t miss any of our tours and events!
If you enjoy our beautiful space, stay longer! Stop in the office Monday-Friday 8-4:30 and Saturday 10-3:30 or call a counselor (414) 645-2632 to find out about our many burial options.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 10.00
