Dominion Arboretum, Arboretum at Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada.
Dominion Arboretum is a tree collection within the Central Experimental Farm, covering about 26 hectares of rolling land between Prince of Wales Drive, Dow's Lake and the Rideau Canal. It holds 1,700 species and varieties of trees and shrubs, and its warmer microclimate supports magnolias, azaleas, Metasequoia and Liriodendron.
The arboretum was founded in 1889 to test how woody plants could survive harsh Canadian winters and climate conditions. Scientists methodically observed and recorded which species adapted well to the region's weather.
The site serves visitors as a place to learn about plants and spend time outdoors reconnecting with trees. People walk the paths to discover different species and experience how diverse woody plants grow together.
The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset with no admission fees required for entry. Parking areas, restrooms, and accessible paths make it straightforward to explore the site on foot.
The arboretum lies at a latitude of 45°, not north of it, and its rolling topography creates a microclimate one zone warmer than Ottawa's Zone 5a. That extra warmth lets magnolias, azaleas, Metasequoia and Liriodendron grow here, trees usually found in hotter climates.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,076 contributors worldwide.
