Magens Bay Arboretum
The Magens Bay Arboretum is a five-acre arboretum located just inland of Magens Bay, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is operated by the Magens Bay Authority and open to the public.[1]
| Magens Bay Arboretum | |
|---|---|
 Magens Bay with the arboretum visible as a grove of trees at the far left | |
  Magens Bay Arboretum | |
| Type | Botanical Garden |
| Location | Magens Bay, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Coordinates | 18.3582°N 64.9246°W |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Created | 1920 |
History
The arboretum was planted in the 1920s under the direction of Arthur Fairchild who in 1947 deeded Magens Bay to the people of the Virgin Islands. Established as a private arboretum on his estate, it was said to contain 200 species representing 71 plant families, including 20 species local to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The arboretum was neglected after his death, but in 1974 the University of the Virgin Islands began to provide technical assistance, starting with the labeling of rare trees. The Charlotte Amalie Rotary Club aided in its restoration.[2]
The arboretum reopened in 1995 only to be destroyed by Hurricane Marilyn three months later. The arboretum is closed for repair following destruction by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Collections
In 1997, another 160 trees were purchased and planted. Several are extremely rare native species, such as the small Solanum conocarpum tree, known from only one location in the dry forest of St. John.[3]
Other acquisitions include five varieties of plumeria from the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. Other species that includes Melicoccus bijugatus, Bursera simaruba, Pisonia Subcordata.
References