The Dawes Arboretum

Ohio, United States

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The Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio, was founded in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes with the goal of inspiring people to plant trees and increasing the love and knowledge of trees, history, and the natural world.

Initially starting with a 140-acre farm called Daweswood, the arboretum has grown to nearly 1,910 acres, including woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and extensive plant collections. It features almost 16,000 living plants across over 5,000 unique taxa, including nationally accredited collections of maples, buckeyes, horse-chestnuts, dawn redwoods, witch-hazel, hollies, oaks, and conifers.

The arboretum includes scenic gardens such as the Japanese Garden, Conifer Glen, and Dutch Fork Wetlands, which showcase diverse ecosystems and rare species. With about 12 miles of hiking trails and 4.5 miles of paved roads winding through the grounds, the arboretum offers visitors opportunities for education, recreation, and connection with nature throughout the year.

It also houses the Daweswood House Museum, preserving the history of the Dawes family and the arboretum’s founding.