Arboretum

Since it’s beginning in 2011 our Arboretum has welcomed visitors from all over for walks through the diverse trails filled with indigenous plants and trees.

Our Arboretum is accredited by the Morton Arboretum as an official Level 1 Arboretum in their listings. ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta based on a set of professional standards. See more information on the ArbNet website here.

2010

The idea for our Arboretum came about in the spring of 2010. The Perth County Heritage Foundation made a historic environmental decision to transform the 5 acres of land the Fryfogel Inn and Tavern stands on into walking trails. The objective of this arboretum is to reflect a time before the land was cleared and farmed upon, similarly to how our restoration work inside the tavern aims to provide a look into the past of the building. Back in 1828 when the Fryfogel family arrived in Perth County, indigenous plants and trees had free reign and had to be cleared in order to farm and create a life for themselves and other incoming settlers. This environment provides a snapshot into what the natural world looked like before the arrival of European settlers and the effects of colonization.

With the help of Jane E. Feryn, a graduate of the school of landscape design at the University of Guelph, a property design was created with the paths necessary to walk through the property. Jane, her husband Pat, and board member Richard Smelski, helped with the clearing of tangled shrubs and weeds

2011

The official beginning of the Arboretum began in 2011 when indigenous plants and trees were finally brought to and planted on site with the help of over thirty volunteers. In the spring ceremonial planting event, a variety of Sugar Maple, Bur Oak, Hackberry, Red Maple, and Red Oak trees were planted by John Wilkinson, MPP; Glen, Randy, and Tanner, Descendants of the Fryfogel Family; Joe Farwell, CEO of The Grand River Conservation Authority; Ric Jordan, Manager of The University of Guelph Arboretum.

2012

Larger steps were taken in 2012 to create a more welcoming green space. A snake rail fence was installed along the border of our property to create more garden space and respect the land of our neighbours. A drilled well was also added on site with funding provided by a Trillium Foundation Grant that allows us to conduct more programming on site as well as keeping our gardens properly watered. The Shakespeare Men’s Club were kind enough to donate a pair of picnic tables for any visitors to enjoy a meal outside. The largest installation would be that of our Fryfogel Arboretum sign. Designed, constructed, and installed by Roger Cook, this sign welcomes visitors to enjoy our arboretum through all seasons.

The 2012 Spring Ceremonial Planting was attended by over fifty people. Ceremonial trees were planted by Swiss Consul General, Mrs. Bernadette Hunkler Brown; Perth County Warden, Mr. Ian Forest; Ms. Lisa Steward from the Ontario Trillium Foundation; Mr. Stewart McTavish from the Stratford Perth Community Foundation; Mr. Donald Pearson from the Ontario Heritage Trust; Mr. Alex Henderson from the Royal Botanical Gardens; descendants of the late, Honourable Nelson Monteith; Elizabeth Halliday and family of the later, Dr. Bruce Halliday, MP Oxford; Ms. Charlene Gordon from the Stratford Rotary Club Environment Committee; Mr. Walter Burkhardt from The Thames Valley Swiss Club

2013

Maintenance of the land continued in 2013 including major trail development and the removal of derelict spruce trees. Spring Ceremonial Planting consisted of Butternut, White Pine, Cedar, Hemlock, Tamarack, Bitternut, and Shagbark Hickory. Assistance came from Stratford Field Naturalists, The Stratford Horticultural Society, and The Stratford Master Gardeners.

As seen on our Tavern Grounds page, three flagpoles were installed in 2013 that fly the Canadian, Ontario, and Swiss flags in honour of the Fryfogel family. It was this year as well that the tombstones for Sebastian I, Henry, and Jakob Fryfogel were restored and placed on site.

2014

This year, a Pollinator Planting Day was held that invited many community members to assist in planting native wildflowers to assist in the growth of pollinator populations that many farms in the area rely on.

2020-2030

Despite a worldwide pandemic, 2020 held an important moment for our Arboretum. This year the Fryfogel Arboretum was listed on the Morton Arboretum of Chicago website as an official Arboretum. Additionally they urged us to create a proposal to be accredited as a Level 1 Arboretum, gaining even more recognition for the work done here. This accreditation has been renewed and continues until 2030.