Trees and Plants

The Ratrie Arboretum has more than 4,000 trees and shrubs representing over 100 distinct species. Most are native to our region, but there is a healthy population of unusual non-native trees.

There are four champion trees of West Virginia within the arboretum. All contribute to the health of the Kanawha Valley by producing oxygen, sequestering carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants, and preventing stormwater runoff. They provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife. They support and are supported by a multitude of insect, bacterial, and fungal species. The arboretum itself can be thought of as a complex organism.

The overriding aim in starting the arboretum was to make a living museum of the trees of West Virginia as an educational resource. This goal is nearing completion. The challenge now is to manage the stock and add successional plantings over time so future generations can enjoy mature trees in perpetuity.

In addition, the arboretum has slowly been making new plantings to start collections of these species, found mostly in the areas listed:

• Aesculus (Buckeye/Horse Chestnut) – Carter Lane
• Asian Circle – Davis and Lilly Drive
• Cercis (Redbud) – Sunset Drive, Jack's Road
• Cornus (Dogwood) – Old Circle
• Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) – Old Circle
• Magnolia – Barber, Shanklin, Muldoon Roads
• Syringa (Lilac) – Brawley Road
• Viburnum – Rollins Road, Old Circle