News Release

Hot Springs National Park to plant magnolia trees on Bathhouse Row

News Release Date: October 12, 2023

Contact: Ashley Waymouth, 501-620-6742

Hot Springs, AR - Hot Springs National Park is dedicated to preserving the historic Magnolia Promenade and ensuring that the Southern Magnolia trees can continue to safely thrive for generations to come. Starting on October 15, five Southern Magnolia trees, Magnolia grandiflora, will be planted to replace five hazardous trees that will be removed.  

Unlike other trees such as Bristlecone pines, Douglas firs, or Redwoods that can live more than 1,000 years, Magnolias have a lifespan of 80 to 120 years. The oldest magnolias along Bathhouse Row were planted as early as 1894 and a second round of magnolias were planted in 1914, making the trees anywhere between 99 and 129 years old. As the trees age, they lose their integrity and can become dangerous.  

The selected trees that will be replanted have suffered irreparable damage from traffic accidents, disease, insect infestations, age, and extreme weather. As such, they pose a risk to pedestrians on Bathhouse Row and vehicular traffic along Central Avenue.  

The park intends to slowly replace the magnolias along the Row as they become hazardous. By taking a phased, generational planting approach, the park can ensure that Bathhouse Row and the Magnolia Promenade will maintain its character, beauty, and shade for the next century. 

A contract for the work has been awarded to Sanford Federal. The project will begin on October 15 and take approximately one month to complete. The outer, northbound lane of Central Avenue (closest to Bathhouse Row) will close from October 15 through 25 between 9:00am and 3:00pm, Monday through Friday, while trees are trimmed and removed. Please use caution while driving down Central Avenue during this time.

For questions or information, please reach out to the park’s Public Information Officer, Ashley Waymouth.