The Hahn-Warner Arboretum
The Hahn-Warner Arboretum offers a quiet place to learn about trees, botany, and conservation through self-guided exploration. With 30 species of trees on site, visitors can observe how trees respond to seasonal changes, environmental stressors, and long-term shifts in climate. This living classroom supports hands-on learning in dendrology, while encouraging a deeper appreciation for the role of trees in healthy ecosystems. Whether you’re studying bark texture, branching patterns, or soil conditions, a walk through the arboretum invites close observation and thoughtful inquiry.
Self-Directed Learning
What makes an arboretum different from a park or a forest? In this episode of Oxford Sparks, curator Ben Jones shares how arboreta work like living libraries, each tree part of a carefully managed collection. Listeners learn how scientists use plant records to track growth, monitor climate impacts, and preserve endangered species. The video explores themes of biodiversity, conservation, and long-range planning, from seed to canopy. Discover how an arboretum can support research, public engagement, and global efforts to protect plant life.
What details can you notice about the shape, bark, or leaf pattern of different trees, and what might those details tell you about each tree’s adaptations?
How does maintaining a living collection of trees help scientists track climate change and protect biodiversity?
