Distinctive plants in the World of Trees
collection include this yellowwood
Cladrastis lutea and in the background
alpine laburnum, Laburnum alpinum
blooming during summer solstice.
Photo by: Henry Kock
The purpose of this collection is to display tree species used for urban planting. Trees play a vital role in the urban environment where all too often the reality is asphalt and concrete. The most important benefit provided by trees (other than their beauty!) is climate moderation. Trees reduce wind speed and cool the air by transpiring water from their leaves. Trees prevent dark surfaces (asphalt and rooftops) from storing heat in the summer. Trees also shield us from UV sunlight.
136 trees representing 33 varieties were planted in the Rotary Tree Grove. These trees where chosen primarily for aesthetic reasons. When choosing an urban tree keep in mind the conditions it must live in. Urban soils are often compacted, low in organic matter, laden with salt, and often have utility lines overhead. Poor soil conditions can partially be overcome by mulching composted leaves over the root zone. You must “call before you dig” and “look up before you plant” in order to provide room for your tree to grow.
History of the Roy Hammond Rotary Tree Grove
In 1980, Rotary Club of Guelph Past-President Frank White and then Arboretum Director Professor Erik Jorgensen developed the concept of the Rotary Tree Grove. The collection was established to commemorate Rotary International’s 75th Anniversary and the Rotary Club of Guelph’s 60th Anniversary. The landscape design was provided by Vern Olsen of Project Planning Associates of Toronto. The inaugural planting took place May 31, 1980 during a visit from Guelph's sister Rotary Club, Japan's Zushi District 259. Four trees were planted: Canada's national tree, the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and three Japanese Maples (A. sieboldianum).
In May, 1999, the Rotary Club of Guelph dedicated the Rotary Tree Grove to Roy Hammond, a long-time Rotary member and one of The Arboretum’s most dedicated supporters. A full list of donors to the Rotary Tree Grove is located in the Hales-McKay Memorial Shelter opposite The O.A.C. Centennial Arboretum Centre. There are still trees available for dedication!
Varieties of Trees in the Roy Hammond Rotary Tree Grove
| Common Name | Botanical Name |
Location on Map |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | (1,2,3,4,5) |
| 'MANITOU' White Ash | Fraxinus americana 'MANITOU' | (6,7,8,9,10) |
| Red Oak | Quercus rubra | (11,12,13,14) |
| European Beech | Fagus sylvatica | (15,16, 17) |
| Chestnut Oak | Quercus prinus | (18) |
| Chinquapin Oak | Quercus muehlenbergii | (19,20,21) |
| 'GREENSPIRE' Linden | Tilia cordata 'GREENSPIRE' | (22,23,24,25,26) |
| Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | (27,29,31,33,35,37,39) |
| European White Birch | Betula pendula 'GRACILIS' | (28,30,32,34,38,40) |
| Paper Birch | Betula papyrifera | (36) |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana | (41,42) |
| 'MARSHALL'S SEEDLESS' Red Ash | Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'MARSHALL'S SEEDLESS' | (43,44,45) |
| 'MORGAN' Red Maple | Acer rubrum 'MORGAN' | (46,47,48,49) |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | (50) |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | (51,52,53,54,55) |
| Japanese Maple | Acer sieboldianum | (56,57,58) |
| 'IVORY SILK' Tree Lilac | Syringa reticulata 'IVORY SILK' | (59,61,63,65,67,69) |
| Turkish Filbert | Corylus colurna | (60,62,64,66,68,70) |
| Juneberry | Amelanchier arborea | (71,72,73,74,75,76) |
| Hawthorn | Crataegus lavallei | (77,79,81,83,85,87) |
| Katsura Tree | Cercidiphyllum japonica | (78,80,82,84,86,88) |
| Thornless Honey Locust | Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis | (89,90,91,92,93) |
| Crimean Linden | Tilia x euchlora 'REDMOND' | (94,95,96,97,98) |
| Cornelian Cherry | Cornus mas | (99,101,103,105,107,109,111) |
| 'CRIMSON KING' Norway Maple | Acer platanoides 'CRIMSON KING' | (100,102,104,106,108,110,112) |
| Ruby Red Horse Chestnut | Aesculus x carnea 'BRIOTTI' | (113) |
| Ohio Buckeye | Aesculus glabra | (114,115,116,117) |
| 'EMERALD QUEEN' Norway Maple | Acer platanoides 'EMERALD QUEEN' | (118,119,120,121,122) |
| American Hop Hornbeam | Ostrya virginiana | (123,124,125,126,127) |
| Amur Cork Tree | Phellodendron amurenses | (128,129,130,131,132) |
| Blue Nootka Cypress | Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'GLAUCA' | (133) |
| Colorado Blue Spruce | Picea pungens | (134) |
| Norway Spruce | Picea abies 'OHLENDORFII' | (135) |
| White Spruce | Picea glauca | (136) |
The maintenance of the Rotary Tree Grove is funded by an endowment, donations, and the dedication of trees. A label (sample shown below) at the base of each tree displays the following information.
Tilia cordata ‘GREENSPIRE’
‘GREENSPIRE’ Linden 1
“Beauty for a lifetime” 2
Ethel and Roy Hammond
May 8, 1981 3
- Plant Name - The tree’s botanical (Latin) name may be followed by a cultivar name in quotes. This indicates that this variety was developed by horticulturists. The tree’s common name is also listed.
- Dedication
- Donor and date of dedication
“TREE”via
~ A large tree can provide the cooling equivalent of five room size air conditioners.
~ Up to 25% of your property’s value is related to trees.
For more information, please contact the Arboretum Director at 519-824-4120 ext. 52356
