Ohio is home to three of the largest arboretums in the United States, meaning you won't have to travel far if you're hoping to see the fall colors at these living museums of trees and woody plants.
Ohio is the only state on the list with three of the eight largest arboretums in the country, according to a WorldAtlas list. The publication says that the destinations offer a combination of scenic landscapes, history and unique attractions.
Here's a closer look at the Ohio destinations that made the list.
Holden Arboretum in Kirtland ranks No. 2 in the nation
Just east of Cleveland, the Holden Arboretum spans 3,500 acres. According to WorldAtlas, the arboretum was founded in 1931 through money left from a mining executive, and most of the property remains in a natural state.
Among Holden's biggest draws
are the Murch Canopy Walk, a 500-foot elevated walkway, and the Kalberer Emergent Tower, which rises above the treetops for panoramic views, per WorldAtlas. The arboretum also includes Stebbins Gulch and Bole Woods, two areas that were designated as National Natural Landmarks in 1967.
The Dawes Arboretum in Newark ranks third-largest in the U.S.
Ranked No. 3 on the list, The Dawes Arboretum spreads across nearly 2,000 acres south of Newark. It was founded in 1929 by former Congressman Beman Dawes and his wife, who had already planted more than 50,000 trees on their former farmland.
One of the arboretum's most recognizable features is its giant hedge lettering spelling "DAWES ARBORETUM," which was designed to be seen from the air, per WorldAtlas. Visitors can also explore a 17-acre Japanese Garden that recently reopened after a two-year restoration. Its annual autumn event, Fall in Love with Dawes, is scheduled for Oct. 24.
Cincinnati's Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum ranks No. 8 nationally
Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum in Cincinnati covers 733 acres. Established in 1845, it is one of the oldest sites on the list. WorldAtlas says it's the nation's eighth-largest arboretum and third-largest cemetery.
The arboretum is also home to a national champion September elm, described as the largest of its species in the country. It also features the historic Dexter Mausoleum and the graves of prominent figures, including former Chief Justice of the United States Salmon P. Chase as well as Procter & Gamble founders William Procter and James Gamble.
The 8 largest arboretums in the U.S.
Ohio claims three of the eight largest arboretums in the U.S., according to WorldAtlas. Here's where they rank:
- No. 1: Bernheim Forest and Arboretum: Clermont, Kentucky
- No. 2: Holden Arboretum: Kirtland, Ohio
- No. 3: The Dawes Arboretum: Newark, Ohio
- No. 4: The Morton Arboretum: Lisle, Illinois
- No. 5 (tie): UW-Madison Arboretum: Madison, Wisconsin
- No. 5 (tie): Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Chaska, Minnesota
- No. 7: Connecticut College Arboretum: New London, Connecticut
- No. 8: Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum: Cincinnati, Ohio
How WorldAtlas ranked the arboretums
The ranking is based on size. According to WorldAtlas, the list uses the acreage each site publishes for its main grounds and includes only locations with "arboretum" in their official names. Satellite properties, botanical gardens and nature reserves without "arboretum" in their names were excluded.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: These 3 Ohio arboretums among the largest in the US
