Chadwick Arboretum

Chadwick Arboretum is a living laboratory and public garden located on the main campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus. Established in the late 20th century, it serves as a vital green space for horticultural display, environmental education, and scientific research. The arboretum encompasses diverse plant collections across several distinct gardens and natural areas, integrating directly with the university's academic mission in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

History

The arboretum was formally established in 1979, named in honor of Professor Larry Gene Chadwick, a dedicated faculty member in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University. Its creation was driven by a vision to provide an outdoor educational resource for students and the public, complementing the work of the existing Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Early development focused on the Learning Gardens and the planting of a Pin Oak collection, with significant expansion occurring in subsequent decades through partnerships with entities like the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The addition of the Lane Avenue Gardens in the 1990s and the nationally recognized National Wildlife Federation certified Pollinator Garden later on marked key phases of its growth.

Collections and features

The arboretum's living collections are organized into thematic gardens and curated landscapes. The Lane Avenue Gardens feature extensive perennial and annual displays, a formal rose garden, and themed beds that demonstrate landscape design principles. The Learning Gardens offer collections of woody plants, herbaceous perennials, and a hosta display garden. A prominent feature is the Buckeye Grove, a planting of Ohio Buckeye trees honoring Ohio State football All-Americans. Other significant collections include a conifer garden, a rain garden demonstrating stormwater management, and the Phenology Garden, which is part of the USA National Phenology Network. The grounds also contain a mature oak-hickory woodland and riparian areas along the Olentangy River.

Education and outreach

Education is a central pillar, with programs serving The Ohio State University students, K–12 school groups, and the general public. The arboretum is integrated into curricula for departments such as Horticulture and Crop Science, Landscape Architecture, and Environmental Science. Public outreach includes guided tours, workshops on topics like native plant gardening and composting, and major annual events such as the Plant Discovery Day plant sale and the Arbor Day celebration. The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteers program actively utilizes the gardens for training and volunteer activities, extending the arboretum's educational impact throughout Franklin County and beyond.

Research and conservation

The site functions as an active research facility supporting studies in urban forestry, plant physiology, pollinator ecology, and climate change adaptation. Researchers from the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and other university departments conduct long-term monitoring projects, including tracking phenology and assessing plant hardiness zones. Conservation efforts focus on preserving genetic diversity of native Ohio woody plants, protecting threatened species, and promoting sustainable landscape practices. The arboretum also participates in national initiatives like the Plant Collections Network and collaborates with the United States Department of Agriculture on germplasm evaluation.

Facilities and access

The arboretum is primarily an open-air collection spread across the central and western areas of the Ohio State University campus, with no enclosed admission gates or fees. Key access points and facilities include the Howlett Hall greenhouse complex, which houses the Chadwick Arboretum Office and the Howlett Hall Green Roof. The Ohio State University Airport, located adjacent to the arboretum's northern sections, borders some of its naturalized areas. The grounds are traversed by a network of paths that connect to the broader Olentangy River Trail system, and parking is available in university lots governed by CampusParc. The arboretum is open daily from dawn to dusk, with specific gardens like the Lane Avenue Gardens being particularly accessible from major campus thoroughfares such as Lane Avenue and Fyffe Road.

Category:Arboreta in Ohio Category:The Ohio State University Category:Columbus, Ohio Category:1979 establishments in Ohio