CelebriTree Program (2023)

Tulip Trees are iconic tall trees in southwestern Ontario and in the northeastern US, but are rare to be seen in eastern Canada. They are named for their distinctive tulip-shaped leaves. They also have interesting tulip-shaped flowers of yellow, orange, and green. The leaves turn an attractive yellow in the fall. They are sometimes called ‘Yellow Poplar.’ Tulip Trees are capable of growing straight and tall (25 metres) in prime locations. This tree is located in the northern part of the Arboretum, on a small rise just south of the magnolia area, about 40 metres east of the north path.

Celebrating Drs. Arni & Elizabeth Arnason

Arni Arnason, PhD, was a senior entomologist and research scientist who from the late 1940’s was Director of Entomology at the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, specializing in pest insects of cereal crops and resultant wireworm control. He moved to the Central Experimental Farm in 1953 where he managed control of national field crop and orchard insects as well as novel, at that time, biological control programs until his death in 1964. He was one of the officials who turned the sod on the now demolished Sir John Carling Building.

Elizabeth Arnason, PhD, (nee Heiss) was a pioneering female entomologist specializing in syrphid flies, and was a professor of entomology at Carleton University from 1960 until her retirement in 1978. During her teaching career, she maintained close working relationships with the entomologists at the Farm, and some of her students were hired by AAFC as staff entomologists. The Tulip Tree was our mother’s favourite tree, a happy reminder of her childhood growing up on the edge of the verdant Purdue University campus in southern Indiana. There was one in the Civic Hospital neighbourhood when we were growing up. Our mother enjoyed the beautiful flowers in early spring.

Our parents loved the Farm and our family has spent many happy times to the present visiting the arboretum and ornamental gardens.

Donated by their children Jean Hollebone, John Arnason, and Neil Arnason, 2023.

Donated by Jean Hollebone, John Arnason, & Neil Arnason

A blue tree icon is a 2024 CelebriTree. A red tree icon is a 2023 CelebriTree.