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This grouping of the Weeping Canada hemlock, Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula,' is in the Parkwood section of The Arboretum and were sought by Beman. This area of The Arboretum was designated by Beman as our first conifer collection with other examples of evergreen planted along this portion of the trail at a similar time. This collection of Weeping Canandian hemlock is joined by other hemlocks, English and Japanese yew varieties, among others. Due to the photogenic nature of this grouping, The Arboretum had to include new signage warning our guest about the damage walking on its roots could cause.

The grouping of four Weeping Canadian Hemlock

Canadian Hemlocks located in proximity, Winter 1938.

Various arborvitae in proximity, Winter 1938.

Signage added to support root and soil consevation

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The Canada Hemlock has many varieties that are on display at The Arboretum, with forty-nine varieties being accessioned. These specimens, four Weeping Canadian Hemlocks, were originally acquired in 1939. Ohio is included in their native range, spanning from Canada through the eastern United States and down the Appalachian Mountains. The Weeping Canadian Hemlock grows between 10 to fifteen feet tall with its branches drooping down, creating a natural flowing pattern in its branches. It can be planted by itself for display or in groupings, creating a full ornamental piece.

Weeping Canadian Hemlock

Special for Arbor Day, begin your tour at the Daweswood House or History Center and learn the unique stories regarding trees located on the North End. 




The Story Behind the Trees

The history of the property dates to the Beard and Green families, Revolutionary War veterans who moved to Ohio as payment for their services. John Brumback, a farmer and blacksmith would purchase property and for his family, occupying the property until his death. Brumback had left many of the trees and natural areas intact, perfect grounds to build an Arboretum. Beman and Bertie would move onto the property in 1917 and by 1929 would endow The Dawes Arboretum. Since then, The Arboretum has continued to grow to encompass over two thousand acres guided by our mission to preserve trees, nature, and history. The Daweswood House Museum has long been the heart of historical interpretation at The Dawes Arboretum. One of the original structures on the property, the Dawes’ spent their weekends coming from their Columbus home to their country retreat. Over time, the Dawes family made several additions to the home including the front porch, the back addition, electrification of the property, and the beautification undertaken by Bertie and the staff of The Arboretum. Since 1973, the Daweswood House has operated as a museum space, offering tours throughout the spring and summer and interpreting the lives of the Dawes family and Arboretum History.  The History Center, located directly behind the Daweswood House also helps interpret our history as an organization. The History Center served as the garage for the Dawes’ family cars. The History Center hosts our rotating exhibits yearly, sharing the unique stories of the Dawes family and the history of The Arboretum through the display of our collection’s materials.

The Daweswood House Museum displays 19th and 20th century antiques and memorabilia from four of the Dawes Family’s five homes. The “Rathskeller” in the lower level of the house displays the shovels used by the notable men and women who dedicated trees at The Arboretum, the earliest of whom initialed the Rathskeller ceiling with soot from a burning candle.

The Daweswood House Museum and History Center 

On April 26, 1975, William Lancelot Dawes, a cousin of the Dawes’ from England originally dedicated a Franklinia. The American Dawes family first came back into contact with their English family during World War I, when Charles G. Dawes served in Europe with the American Expeditionary Force. “Slotty,” as he was referred to by his cousins, was just as active in business as his American family, overseeing the British family’s shipping operations. He would compete in the 1960 Rome Olympics for Great Britian, appearing in the Flying Dutchman competition with his crewmate James Ramus in the ship Beaver, finishing in seventh place. Slotty would also win the 1937 National Hunt Chase, a prominent horse race. He shares his name with William Dawes, a rider with Paul Revere in Boston, and to whom this tree was dedicated.

The Swamp white oak, Quercus bicolor, is a native tree to Ohio and is very common throughout the Midwest. They prefer direct sunlight and grow best in wet soil. When compared to other oaks, the Swamp White Oak’s leaves have a greater difference in leaf color from front to back. This Swamp White Oak was acquired by The Dawes Arboretum in 1941. Many of our Swamp White Oaks were acquired by The Arboretum from the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station in Wooster, Ohio by Edmund Secrest, the first State Forester of Ohio.

Swamp White Oak 

One of the many ways that our members and visitors can leave a permanent mark on The Arboretum is our Leave a Legacy program. Through this program, The Arboretum can continue our mission through the care of our trees. Memorial Trees are part of this program, highlighting our member’s and community’s contribution to The Arboretum's future. This Prairie Sentinel became a Memorial Tree in 1984, through Khempo Karthar Rinpoche, a Buddhist monk and scholar. The tree was to honor the “Well-Being and Peace of the United States of America and All Nations.” Rinpoche was also present at the tree dedication of Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the leader of his branch of Buddhism. The inclusion of these monks highlights the broad appeal of The Arboretum and intercultural dialogue.

This Prairie Sentinel Pond cypress, Taxodium ascendens, was originally planted in 1973 and its surrounding trees were grown from this original through grafts in 1996. The Prairie Sentinel was first observed by Earl Culley in 1968, which grew in southeastern Illinois. Our specimen was acquired from Culley’s nursey in Illinois. This tree differs from the Bald Cypress as it does not produce knees, even though they still require the same water requirements. The ornamental value of the Prairie Sentinel was noted by the Arnold Arboretum where its hardiness was studied for inclusion in northern arboretums.

Prairie Sentinel pond cypress

Black walnuts have a long history at The Dawes Arboretum, with many presents when the Dawes’ family bought the property in 1917. One of the first tasks that Beman undertook on The Arboretum’s grounds was the collection of timber for the military during World War I noted by Bertie on a picture of her son Henry Dawes and staff member John Jordan taken in 1917. The timber would have been sold to make rifle stocks. Beman then would replace those cut down with new plantings. Other black walnuts in this area may have other historical connection as Beman collected many “History Trees.” These Black Walnuts may also have come from Vincennes, Indiana, the site of a meeting between Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison in 1810.

The black walnut, Juglans nigra, is one of the most common trees in Ohio, both naturally occurring and planted. Many black walnuts are planted by our squirrel population as they leave their nuts in the winter, leading to scattered populations. Black walnuts prefer open sunlight and produce a toxin called juglone that reduces competition from ground level plants. The black walnut fruits have long been used in staining materials, and the wood is often used for timber.

The Story Behind the Trees

Weeping Canadian Hemlock

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information