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Community Spotlight: Dawes Arboretum
Community spotlight
One Man's Dream
The idea for an arboretum came to Beman Dawes during his youth in Marietta, Ohio, where his father’s lumber business supported the family. In 1918, Beman Dawes purchased 140 acres, south of Newark, of the old Brumback farm in Licking Township. The farm, known as “Woodland,” offered gently rolling hills and several acres of mature trees native to central Ohio. Beman felt that the farm was well situated; it was located practically in the center of the state with diversified soils and good climate for hardy trees. The Dawes Arboretum, first named Daweswood, was established in 1929 by Beman and his wife, Bertie.
The Creation of Daweswood
The family renamed the farm “Daweswood” and the brick, half-century-old farmhouse became their country home. By this time Beman and Bertie Dawes had passed their love of nature on to their four sons and daughter. It was Beman Dawes’ aim to inspire people to plant trees. He planted trees at Daweswood, striving to obtain specimens from all over the world that would survive in central Ohio.
Introducing The Dawes Arboretum
By the time The Dawes Arboretum was founded, over 50,000 trees had been planted and the grounds had doubled in size to 293 acres. Beman and Bertie Dawes created The Arboretum as a private foundation: “To encourage the planting of forest and ornamental trees… to give pleasure to the public and education to the youth.” The Dawes Arboretum's collections include over 5300 different types of plants (taxa) with more than 15,400 plants on the grounds.
Tree Dedicators
Beman and Bertie Dawes established an endowment fund, that continues to be one of the major sources of funds for The Dawes Arboretum that now includes nearly 2,000 acres. In 1927, they began a tradition of honoring distinguished individuals and groups with living tributes in the form of trees. The Dawes Arboretum has celebrated more than 100 Tree Dedications installing a bronze plaque at the base of the tree tells you who the tree is dedicated to, who it is dedicated by, accomplishments and the date of the dedication.
Wildlife at The Dawes Arboretum
The Dawes Arboretum has a history with wildlife viewing that includes recorded wildlife observations by founders Beman and Bertie Dawes. Recording wildlife observations and wildlife management continues to be a priority of The Dawes Arboretum. With the aid of volunteers, Arboretum staff continues to monitor wildlife populations and inventory wildlife species. Collaborative partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Ohio Division of Wildlife and Universities are imperative to wildlife management at The Arboretum.
THE DAWES ARBORETUM
The Dawes Arboretum is open 362 days every year. Hours change seasonally and Arboretum members can enjoy an exclusive hour. Non-members must purchase a ticket in advance. For more information visit dawesarb.org.
Gary Baker, The Energy Cooperative Director of Marketing & Public Relations
