Bickelhaupt Arboretum

The mission of The Bickelhaupt Arboretum is to serve as a connection between people and plants through a better understanding of horticulture by developing and maintaining a well-documented collection of landscape plants adapted to this region for education and enjoyment.

The Bickelhaupt Arboretum Story

"The first question, you might ask, is how two people without formal education or training in horticulture got started on a project as large and as complex as starting an arboretum" is how Frances Bickelhaupt began her book A Private Couple Creates a Public Garden. The Iowan Magazine, spring 1982: "How this man, who once decorated his indoor swimming pool with $200 in artificial plants, became the zealous owner of an arboretum is a story that begins with walking." The Bickelhaupts walked more than ninety miles in their hometown of Clinton to muse over and map the city trees, which were being destroyed by the Dutch elm disease. As a result of the walks, Frances and Bob concluded that the devastation of the Dutch elm disease and apparent lack of knowledge about landscaping made an educational arboretum a worthwhile goal.

Of note is that it was not until well into the 1980s was any major effort by governmental or educational bodies to educate the landscape industry to address the problem of urban forestry. Pruning, planting, selection of proper and varied species or spacing of trees was non-existent. In 1999, well into the third decade of the creation of this public garden, Frances began a book to document the challenges and successes of this environmental project she and her husband, Bob, devoted their years of "retirement" to developing. The book is available in the Visitor's Center at the Arboretum for a donation to cover the cost of the printing, which goes directly to the Arboretum. Frances will personally autograph the book if given notice.

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