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PGMS Cincinnati Branch News Cincinnati Branch Tours Innovative Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
23 people took advantage of this great opportunity to visit a unique horticultural, arboricultural, and cultural resource in central Kentucky. Within Bernheim's 14,000 acres are a nationally-recognized arboretum, beautiful gardens, tranquil lakes, a nature center, large expanses of scenic natural areas, 30 miles of hiking trails and a 12,000-acre research forest. The goal in all of Bernheim's activities is to help realize its mission of strengthening the bond between people and nature by finding new ways to connect nature with people's everyday lives. The Branch was hosted to a "cook's tour" of Bernheim by staff horticulturalist Gerry Dobbs, PGMS member and Certified Grounds Manager. Gerry was an excellent and knowledgeable host, and Branch members were impressed with his job duties and accomplishments. Gerry started the tour and program in the newly constructed Visitors Center. The Center is unique in its "green" construction; it was designed to have little impact on the natural resources and demonstrate to visitors how buildings can be "like trees." This building produces oxygen, provides habitat, protects water quality, and uses sun for energy among other tree-like attributes. Next
on the agenda was what we all came for --- a tour of the landscape
and natural areas of Bernheim. The Arboretum is a major feature
of the Forest. In 1931, the Frederick Law Olmsted firm began work
on the major site plan for the landscape arboretum at Bernheim.
They created an original landscape design that was adopted in 1935.
Bernheim first opened to the public in July 1950. The
arboretum collections have been growing and developing since the
early 1930's. Some of the earliest collections are conifers and
pecan trees, as well as the beech, ginkgo and nut sections. The
renowned American holly collection was significantly expanded in
1976. It has become the largest collection of American hollies in
North America, and probably the world. Gerry took the group to other special areas in the Forest. We saw many formal gardens, native grassland areas, a wetland forest restoration project, and the newest attraction --- a forest canopy observation bridge and deck. It was a chilly spring day, but it was well worth the time and effort. The Branch was also fortunate to have PGMS Regional Director Walt Bonvell and PGMS Treasurer Gene Pouly, CGM join the tour. Gene's wife, Judie, also made the long trip to join the Branch on this special outing. Special treats were the great box lunch and the gift of a free tree seedling to all tour members in honor of Kentucky's Arbor Day celebration at Bernheim that day. Also, the pervasive and distinctive scent of sour mash emanating from the nearby Jim Beam distillery, and the explosive sounds from the Army's Armor Center tank drills at Ft. Knox made the day unforgettable! Again, our many thanks to Gerry Dobbs for hosting our educational program, and our heartfelt congratulations go to him for a job well-done. For
more information on this program or the activities of the Greater
Cincinnati Branch, please call Branch President Jenny
Gulick at 513-772-3159 or email at jgulick@davey.com. ###
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On
April 8, the Greater Cincinnati Branch coordinated a special program
for members and invited guests. A full-day bus tour was arranged
destined for Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Clermont,
Kentucky just south of Louisville.
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