Arboretum History
Arboretum History
A forest with bright red and yellow maple trees sits behind a field of brown grass. Bushes and shrubs dot the grassy lawn.

The Zavitz Pines

Header image: Victoria Woods, date unknown

The Zavitz Pines is a historic group of eastern white pines (Pinus strobus) and that reside on The Arboretum grounds. These trees were planted by O.A.C. Professor and famous forester Edmund Zavitz in 1907. Zavitz sought to understand if trees could reduce the loss of soil caused by increased agriculture and clear-cutting. This resulted in him and his team of men planting rows upon rows of conifers at the corner of College Ave. and Victoria Rd. In 1970, these trees became a part of The Arboretum. Today, many of these trees still stand, towering over their counterparts and reminding us of the legacy of the O.A.C. and The Arboretum.

Zavitz also planted several non-native Spruce trees in the area. Many of the Zavitz Spruce still stand, having grown to extraordinary heights 100 years after they were planted.

To learn more about the Zavitz Pines and Spruces, visit The Arboretum’s main website.

A group of men plant seeds in a farmers field. A carriage pulled by a horse stands nearby. A densely wooded forest is in the background.

Zavitz pines planting, 1907

A group of men use shovels and pickaxes to dig holes for planting seeds.

Zavitz Pines planting, 1907. College Avenue can be seen in the background.

A informational plaque with the title "Edmund John Zavitz 1875-1968" and a picture of a young white man with glasses. The plaque has a long description that is too blurry to see. In the background, a Zavitz Pine (a White pine tree) towers.

Edmund Zavitz plaque in front of Zavitz Pines, 2020

Zavitz Pine (a White pine) towers over surrounding trees.

Zavitz Pine towers over surrounding trees, 2020

This is a sampling of some of the many photos that have been taken and people that have been a part of The Arboretum’s 50 years of operations. Do you have some photos you would like to share? Upload them to our Arboretum History Kudoboard.

The land where The Arboretum now grows has been home to plants and animals for thousands of years. It was home to Indigenous peoples before settlers arrived. We recognize the Dish with One Spoon territory, the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Between the Lakes Treaty 3 lands on which the University of Guelph and The Arboretum now sit. We are honoured to work on and care for this land.