The Dawes Arboretum is dedicated to enriching lives through the conservation of trees, nature and history.

The Dawes Arboretum was founded in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes as a private foundation: “To encourage the planting of forest and ornamental trees… to give pleasure to the public and education to the youth.”

Since The Dawes Arboretum was founded, the grounds have grown from 293 acres to nearly 2,000 with nearly 16,000 trees and shrubs. Of these plants, 5,000 are unique names.

The Dawes Arboretum

In collaboration with the Stream + Wetlands Foundation, The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) and and Microsoft ‘s Datacenter Community Affairs team, we introduce you to the Rolling Hills Meadow!

With over 1,000 native plants installed entirely by Dawes staff and volunteers, this joint effort has restored wetland habitat that provides numerous important functions, such as filtration of run-off, nutrient cycling, wildlife and pollinator habitat and educational opportunities. Here at The Dawes Arboretum, we are committed to connecting the public with the benefits of nature through initiatives like this.

Rolling Hills Meadow

The Dawes Arboretum’s Hedge Letters were planted in March of 1942. Over the years, this site on our grounds has become a visitor favorite with their intense size. Beman Dawes, our co-founder, had a vision for every pilot and passenger flying overhead to read the letters and know they were just above The Arboretum. In 1939, Ohio State University student, Charles Jones, helped to design the landscape for the Hedge Letters as well as the Buckeye 17 area on grounds for his civil engineering class. Learn more about the Hedge Letters at https://www.dawesarb.org/blog/beyond-your-backyard-dawes-hedge-letters 

The Dawes Arboretum

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