Garden, Tree, and Bench Program

The Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens

Giving opportunities through the Garden, Tree, and Bench Program

Memorial or commemorative gardens, trees, or benches can be installed within the three garden sites of the Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens, or within the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University. While we try to accommodate specific location requests from donors, the final installation location is determined and approved by the director of the Chadwick Arboretum or by the university landscape architect.

All plants and trees are selected from a list provided by the Chadwick Arboretum’s horticulturists in collaboration with the horticulture teaching faculty. This partnership enhances the teaching collections for our students and ensures a diverse and beautiful landscape throughout the campus.

Supporting the Chadwick Arboretum Gardens and Plant Collections

There are several ways that donors can leave a legacy on the campus of The Ohio State University while support the gardens and plant collections of the Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens.

●Undesignated gifts in any amount can be given to support the maintenance or renovation of existing gardens. These gifts are deposited into the Chadwick Arboretum Endowment fund #601179.

●Gifts to name a garden can also be given. Named gardens can include existing unnamed gardens within the Arboretum grounds, or they can be new gardens that are designed and installed within the Arboretum grounds.

●Gifts to endow and name a garden

Gifts to endow and name a garden include the naming of a new or existing garden in the Chadwick Arboretum together with the naming of an endowment fund that ensures the garden in perpetuity.

For more information about naming or endowing a garden please contact Mary Maloney, Director of Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens, at 614-688-3479.

●Endowed trees

An endowed tree can be purchased for $2,500. The tree is grown in perpetuity, that is, if an endowed tree dies, or if it needs to be moved because of development, it is replaced. Records of endowed trees with the donor’s name, honoree’s name, and/or sentiment are maintained in the Chadwick Arboretum database. A portion of the $2,500 gift will be used for purchasing and installing the tree as well as installing a recognition plate. The remaining amount of the gift will be added to the Chadwick Arboretum Endowment fund (#601179) to provide future maintenance and possible replacement of the tree. Endowed trees are planted in the fall and the spring.

All endowed trees will be recognized with a 2” x 4” metal plaque mounted on a 3’ wooden post. The plaque may include the donor’s name, honoree’s name, and personal sentiment as space permits. A second plaque will include the plant name, common name, family name, and nativity of the tree.

●Gift trees

A gift tree can be purchased for $1,200. Gift trees can endure for more than a lifetime, but are only replaced if damage or death occurs within the first five years of planting. Records of gift trees with the donor’s name, honoree’s name, and/or sentiment are maintained in the Chadwick Arboretum database. Gift trees are planted in the fall and the spring.

All gift trees will be recognized with a 2” x 4” metal plate mounted on a 3’ wooden post. The plate may include the donor’s name, honoree’s name, and personal sentiment as space permits. A second plaque will include the plant name, common name, family name, and nativity of the tree.

●Benches

Benches provide gathering spaces within the Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens and across the Columbus campus of the Ohio State University. The benches are 6’ long with redwood slats and black steel legs. A new bench requires a gift of $2,500. Benches are installed when weather permits.

All benches will be recognized with a 1" x 3" metal plate attached to the center back of the bench. The plate may include the donor’s name, honoree’s name, and personal sentiment as space permits. Bench records, with location, donor’s name, honoree’s name, and sentiment, are maintained in the Chadwick Arboretum database. Benches are replaced only when damage beyond repair occurs within 5 years of installation.

A donor may also endow a bench to ensure its existence and maintenance in perpetuity by making a gift of $25,000 to the Chadwick Arboretum Endowment fund (#601179).

●Additional gift opportunities

Opportunities to provide sculptures, walkways, lighting and other architectural features to the Chadwick Arboretum or the greater campus require special consideration. Initial inquiries can be made through the Chadwick Arboretum.

For more information on Ohio State University’s Garden, Tree and Bench Program please contact Mary Maloney, Director of Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens, at 614-688-3479.