Changes

In 1970, the Garden of Roses of Legend and Romance was established at the Arboretum near the [[Barnhart Rice House, Wooster, Ohio]]. Mrs. Samuel Forbes of Cleveland donated the funding for its creation, and the roses were a gift of Mr. Joseph Kern, a well-known rose nurseryman<ref>Robert E. Whitmoyer, <i>The View From the Tower</i>, p.39.</ref>. The 2.7-acre garden reached a peak of about 1500 rose bushes representing 500 varieties, some of which were rare when the garden began<ref>Melissa Green, "Roses are for show at research center," Akron Beacon Journal, 24 July 1994</ref>. The rose garden declined throughout the 2010s due to an incurable disease called rose rosette, and in 2019-2020, all of the roses were removed and the space cleared for an experimental space, starting with trial plantings of coneflower varieties, hydrangeas, and native honeysuckles<ref>Linda Hall, "Secrest Arboretum replacing its acclaimed rose garden," Akron Beacon Journal, March 18 2019</ref>.

In 1970, the Garden of Roses of Legend and Romance was established at the Arboretum near the [[Barnhart Rice House, Wooster, Ohio]]. Mrs. Samuel Forbes of Cleveland donated the funding for its creation, and the roses were a gift of Mr. Joseph Kern, a well-known rose nurseryman<ref>Robert E. Whitmoyer, <i>The View From the Tower</i>, p.39.</ref>. The 2.7-acre garden reached a peak of about 1500 rose bushes representing 500 varieties, some of which were rare when the garden began<ref>Melissa Green, "Roses are for show at research center," Akron Beacon Journal, 24 July 1994</ref>. The rose garden declined throughout the 2010s due to an incurable disease called rose rosette, and in 2019-2020, all of the roses were removed and the space cleared for an experimental space, starting with trial plantings of coneflower varieties, hydrangeas, and native honeysuckles<ref>Linda Hall, "Secrest Arboretum replacing its acclaimed rose garden," Akron Beacon Journal, March 18 2019</ref>.

In September 2010, an EF-2 tornado with winds reaching 135 mph swept through the OARDC campus and wreaked damage across one-fourth of the Arboretum. Approximately $400,000 in private donations helped the Arboretum replace plantings and renovate areas of the gardens hardest hit by the storm, and researchers have taken the opportunity to study how nature rebounds after dramatic weather damage. Another storm in November 2017 brought additional but less extensive damage to the gardens as well as to the Barnhart Rice House.

In September 2010, an EF-2 tornado with winds reaching 135 mph swept through the OARDC campus and wreaked damage across one-fourth of the Arboretum, including many of the gardens and landscape plantings. The natural forested areas had many trees blown over or experiencing basal shear, while the understory plant communities experienced far less damage<ref>"Effects of Catastrophic Natural Disturbance on the Structure and Function of Forest Ecosystems," SEEDS: The OARDC Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program 2014 Report of Progress, p.11</ref>. Approximately $400,000 in private donations helped the Arboretum replace plantings and renovate areas of the gardens hardest hit by the storm, and researchers have taken the opportunity to study how nature rebounds after dramatic weather damage. Another storm in November 2017 brought additional but less extensive damage to the gardens as well as to the Barnhart Rice House.

In 2019, the former Research Operations building was renovated and reopened as the Secrest Arboretum Welcome and Education Center, hosting exhibits as well as educational events for visitors. The Arboretum currently covers 115 acres.

In 2019, the former Research Operations building was renovated and reopened as the Secrest Arboretum Welcome and Education Center, hosting exhibits as well as educational events for visitors. The Arboretum currently covers 115 acres.