Fred A. Erb Arboretum

The Fred A. Erb Arboretum is a 4 1/2 acre park located around three sides of the City of Royal Oak Senior Center. The Arboretum provides visitors a window to the many varieties of native species, plants, shrubs, and trees, that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

When visiting, please enjoy your walk through the arboretum and hopefully learn or see something interesting in each plant community! The arboretum, managed by the all volunteer Royal Oak Nature society, adds to their ability to teach about the area’s Great Lakes ecosystems, and encourage residents to use environmental beneficial native plants around their homes.

The development of the arboretum began in 2007. The long-range plan for the arboretum is to create a collection of native trees/plants that are not found in nearby Tenhave Woods. In 2008, The Royal Oak Nature Society began restoring the native plant community in what is now known as the Fred A. Erb Arboretum.

The Nature Society’s early efforts in the arboretum focused on identifying and preserving native trees and shrubs and removing invasive species by the Nature Society with support from Eagle Scout Project work crews and various conservation/community groups.

Today, there are fields of native flowers as well as shrubs and trees. In 2023, the Era Family foundation donated funds to plant an additional 100 trees native to the ecological region. The Royal Oak Nature Society will manage the tree planting, which will be done over two years with the support of volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email naturesociety@romi.gov or call 248-246-3380 & leave a message.