Calendar of Events and Programs

This?fascinating natural area is situated in southern Fairfield County, five miles southeast of Lancaster. It has the highest concentration in Ohio of the native great rhododendrons, a state endangered species.? It also has?the most beautiful sandstone rock structures! This will make an extraordinary memory for you.

This preserve is within the Sugar Grove Region of the Hocking Hills. A relatively strenuous hike to the top of the dry ridgeline affords a view of the Hocking River Valley to the east. This dry ridge forms a horseshoe shape, supporting a significant chestnut oak community with Virginia and pitch pine, sourwood and a well-developed heath layer of mountain laurel, blueberry, deerberry, and state listed flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum).

Our tour will be to?the cooler north facing slopes below the cliff lines which form an environment suited to eastern hemlock, black birch and another state listed member of the heath family ? the great rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum). This is likely the home of the largest native population of this native rhododendron in Ohio. The Sugar Grove Region, which includes Rhododendron Cove, ?is one of the richest botanical regions in Ohio. Its flora may be described as an outlier of the Appalachian flora found to the south and east. The population of Rhododendron maximum can be seen in peak bloom in late June to early July. It has the highest concentration in Ohio of the native great rhododendrons, a state endangered species.

The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Centers describes Rhododendron Maximum as: "Evergreen, thicket-forming shrub or tree with short, crooked trunk, broad, rounded crown of many stout, crooked branches, and large white blossoms. Great-laurel or rosebay rhododendron is a loose, open, broadleaf evergreen with multiple-trunks, upright branching, and the largest leaves of all native rhododendrons. The plant grows 4-15 ft. in the north, but can grow 30 ft. high in favorable sites. Its foliage is dark blue-green and leathery. Large, bell-shaped, white to purplish-pink, spotted flowers appear in terminal clusters of 16-24.

Rosebay Rhododendron is abundant in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Often grown as an ornamental, it is one of the hardiest and largest evergreen rhododendrons. The wood is occasionally used for tool handles, and a home remedy has been prepared from the leaves."

This sounds like a great field trip. We suggest?people carpool. Barbara?will set up a carpool which will leave the Columbus area at 8:45 am. Please?contact Barbara Altenburg at [email protected]? or call her at ?614.638.0442. ?IMPORTANT - Because this?trip was done later in the season last year after the rhododendrons bloomed, a request was made for a repeat trip. Barbara will happily go if people want to go on this trip. So, it is essential?that you RSVP to her by June 25 if you are going. Thank you.