Awbury Arboretum facts for kids

Awbury Arboretum is a special place in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's like a big outdoor museum for trees and plants! This arboretum covers 55 acres, which is about the size of 40 football fields. It's a nonprofit organization, meaning it's run for the public good, not for making money. You can visit its beautiful grounds every day for free. The arboretum was officially started in 1916 and became a nonprofit in 1984.

The Story of Awbury Arboretum

The history of Awbury Arboretum goes back a long time. In 1852, a man named Henry Cope bought the land. He wanted the grounds to look like a beautiful English garden. A famous landscape architect named William Saunders helped him plan it.

Over the years, several houses were built on the property. Most of these houses are now owned by private families. However, one special house, the Francis Cope House, built in 1860, is now the main office for the arboretum. The Cope family officially created the arboretum in 1916. Later, in 1984, it became a nonprofit group. This means it's dedicated to educating people and protecting nature.

In 2001, the entire arboretum became part of the Awbury Historic District. This is a special area recognized for its important history and unique buildings.

Exploring the Trees and Plants

Awbury Arboretum is designed with open spaces and groups of trees and shrubs. This creates beautiful views across the landscape. It's home to many old and impressive trees.

Special Trees to Spot

You can find some truly amazing trees here. One is a State Champion River Birch (Betula nigra). This means it's the biggest of its kind in Pennsylvania! Other notable trees include:

• American Linden (Tilia americana)
• American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
• Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)

More Trees and Shrubs

The arboretum has a wide variety of other trees and shrubs. These include different types of maples, oaks, and flowering trees. Some examples are:

• Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
• American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
• Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
• Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
• Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)
• Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
• American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
• White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
• Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
• Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
• Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
• Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
• White Oak (Quercus alba)
• Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
• Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus)
• Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

You'll also find various shrubs like:

• Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
• Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
• Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
• Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
• Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)

See also

In Spanish: Awbury Arboretum para niños