Wooded Pastures and Wilderness Remnants In addition to the significance of Henry Clay's estate for human history, Ashland harbors several living remnants of natural history. Before settlement, much of the Bluegrass Region was covered in open, grassy woodland where deer, elk and buffalo thrived, and native Americans frequently hunted and lived. Due to Henry Clay's early management, some presettlement features were preserved at Ashland. He pioneered the creation of wooded pastures in the region, as described by early travelers, like Thomas Hulme in 1828: "I approve of Mr. Clay's method very much, especially in laying down pasture. He clears away all the brush or Underwood, leaving timber enough to afford a sufficiency of shade to the grass, which does not thrive here exposed to the sun as in England and other climates. By this method he has as fine grass and clover as can possibly grow." This environment has become a refuge for some species that have become rare in the Lexington area. Running Buffalo Clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) is a federally threatened species with less than 100 sites in the whole world, mostly in the Ohio Valley. A large population of Running Buffalo Clover was discovered at Ashland by State Nature Preserves botanists in the late 1980s. It is similar to white clover, a plant introduced from Europe, but it is generally larger, flowers earlier (late April and May), and has leaves on the flowering stem (unlike the naked stem of the white clover). Before settlement this species was locally abundant, especially along trails through the woods which were made by buffalo and other large animals. It survives today mainly on old estates that have never been intensively farmed, but it does require some light grazing or occasional mowing. If grass and other vegetation become too tall, the clover gets covered over and disappears. Several thriving patches have been located in shady spots at Ashland. The Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) is a small spring wildflower that is white with pink-purple lines. Why it is so common in some lawns, but completely absent from neighbors, is a mystery - perhaps herbicides are to blame. Its large numbers at Ashland, from late March to late April, form one of the most impressive spring sights in Lexington. Waiting until late April to mow encourages the Spring Beauties to grow. They are generally absent on the southwest side of the estate where farming activities were more intense in the past. Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) is a spring wildflower that used to be common in the more shady forests of the Lexington area before settlement. Although it is still common in ravines along the Kentucky River, there are very few sites left on the uplands. A large patch has survived on the Ashland grounds adjacent to Richmond Road. Its speckled leaves carpet the ground from late March to early June, and its bright yellow flowers can only be seen during early April. The Trees of Ashland Henry Clay was intensely interested in the development of his property. Like most of the early settlers to the Bluegrass, he was struck by the beautiful green rolling hills and large majestic trees. Almost from the day he bought the property he began to plant trees. In fact, his penchant for transplanting trees and shrubs from different regions and parts of the world is extensively documented. "From the mountains were transplanted dogwoods, redbuds, pines, and hollies... Tanbark walks were laid, shaded by avenues of hemlock, ashes, and walnuts, their delicate foliage interlacing overhead. Clay's attendance upon Congress, necessitating long and frequent absences from Kentucky, rendered this work of improvement and adornment very gradual, as he delighted to give to it his personal supervision." Century Magazine December, 1886. One writer in describing Clay's landscape, suggested that his work at Ashland influenced the aesthetics of the region. "Many of the handsome trees that now adorn the place were planted by Clay's own hand or under his personal supervision. He loved them and he loved to cultivate them, and his example had no little to do with the development and spread in Central Kentucky of the taste for ornamental trees, plants, and grounds." Blue Ash: Henry Clay chose the name "Ashland"
for the Ginkgo: The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest living European Larch: A wonderful example of this unusual, European Beech: A beautiful example of this tree, also Paper Birch: This tree, located towards the back of the Norway Spruce: When Henry Clay passed through the Maples - Red, Black and Sugar: A variety of maple Tulip Poplar: This fast-growing native tree
The Grounds of Ashland
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Sycamore Road ©Copyright, The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation, 2001
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large blue ash that grew here in abundance. Only two of
the many that were here when Henry Clay arrived in 1797 remain on the property. They are
over 250 years old and are located near the corner of Richmond Road and Woodspoint. The
blue ash can be found on dry, upland, limestone rich soil. They seldom reseed naturally
because of mowing and grazing. Twigs from the blue ash when crushed and placed in fresh
water will turn the water blue, a dyestuff of the pioneers. The hard wood was used
extensively in the building and the rebuilding of the house. One of the most admired
aspects of Ashland is the exquisite ash woodwork throughout the house, especially in the
entrance and main floor. You can also find younger examples of the white and green ash on
the property.
species on earth. It has flourished almost unchanged for 150 million
years and during prehistoric times it lived in many parts of the world. However, during
the last ice age, ginkgoes nearly became extinct, and survived only in China and other
parts of Asia. An interesting fact is a solitary ginkgo was the only tree to survive the
atomic blast in Hiroshima. You can still see this tree alive today, standing near the
epicenter of the blast, a testament to the ginkgo's remarkable ability to survive. Henry
Clay imported some of the early ginkgoes to this area from China and planted them on his
property. The two oldest specimens at Ashland are in the front lawn; however, they do not
date back to Mr. Clay's time, but rather were planted somewhere around the Civil War. The
ginkgo has unusual fan-shaped leaves that turn a brilliant yellow in the autumn and all
drop within a 24 to 48 hour period. For this reason it is also know as the "rain
tree."
deciduous, slow-growing pine tree is found in front of the north
wing of the main house. The European larch's small needles will turn yellow in the autumn
before they fall. This tree dates back to around 1890 and is a Big Tree Champion, meaning
it is the largest of its species in Kentucky. Because it is slow growing, a small one is
planted right behind it so that it will be a nice large tree ready to replace the present
one when it dies.
known as a "copper beech," is located in the front lawn of
Ashland. It is along the circular carriage walk leading to the front door. It can be
easily recognized by its copper red leaves and smooth bark. The smooth gray bark resembles
the thick hide of an elephant. An interesting network of surface roots will develop over
time. This tree dates to around 1870.
main house along the Henry Clay Walk, stands out because of its white
bark which separates into papery strips. This tree is a Big Tree Champion because it is
the largest of it species in Kentucky. It usually thrives in the northeast part of the
United States.
wilderness on his way to Kentucky from Virginia in 1797, he was
struck by the beauty of the Norway spruce. Almost as soon as he acquired Ashland in 1806
he began transplanting these trees to his new property. He used them to line the walks and
throughout the landscape. The Norway spruce looks like a small Christmas tree when first
planted but soon grows into a towering pine with pendulous branches. An added benefit of
these trees is that they withstand snow and freezing rains, thus allowing them to survive
for long periods of time. There are many of these old Norway spruce dating as far back as
1870 that still adorn the area around the main house.
trees are plentiful at Ashland and lend their beautiful array of
fall colors every autumn. These trees were important sources of wood for flooring,
furniture, veneer, gun stocks and other uses.
produces interesting leaves that look like the silhouette of a tulip or
cat's face. The interesting pale yellow flower resembles a tulip. This Kentucky state
tree, known for its straight trunk and abundant growth in woodlands, provided lumber for
the early log cabins.