Events

Please note that the bus is full. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist, please email mennist@arboretumfriends.net – We will take names until August 27 at which time we have to provide Longwood Gardens with our final count. Thank you!

Grab a friend and join the Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum on Wednesday, September 17th for a trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.  Let us take the stress out of driving so you can put your energy into exploring the beauty that Longwood has to offer.

September is a glorious time to visit this famous garden which was originally purchased by Pierre S. du Pont in 1906 in order to save the trees from being logged.  

Since its opening in 1921 many additions and improvements have been made, including, in November 2024, a new Conservatory featuring interior Mediterranean-inspired gardens set amid pools, canals, and fountains. Other new additions include an outdoor Bonsai Courtyard and a preserved and expanded Orchid House. 

More areas to visit include the Italian Water Garden, the 5-acre Main Fountain Garden with shows at 1:15 PM, and 3:15 PM, the Meadow Garden, Chimes Tower and Waterfall, and the Eye of Water. Click here for a downloadable map of the gardens: https://longwoodgardens.org/media/44725/download?inline

Self guided tours allow you to explore at your own pace and linger where you wish.

Lunch at the Cafe, Beer Garden, or the 1906 Restaurant to satisfy your hunger.  Reservations are recommended at 1906, as it is first come-first served otherwise. Please note that although the restaurant is open until 4:30 PM, the last reservation available is at 3:30 PM. Reservations are not available for the Cafe and Beer Garden.

View Longwood’s dining page here: https://longwoodgardens.org/dine

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. You may carry a water bottle and snacks into Longwood Gardens, but no other food is allowed.

The bus will leave The Frelinghuysen Arboretum at 10:00 AM sharp for a 12:30 PM arrival at Longwood and depart at 5:30 PM for the return trip to NJ.

No refunds after August 27.

For questions, please contact mennist@arboretumfriends.net or lbencivengo@arboretumfriends.net

In person at the Interfaith Food Pantry. Click on this link for directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Interfaith+Food+Pantry+Network,+Executive+Drive,+Morris+Plains,+NJ/40.8311744,-74.4967505/@40.831167,-74.5380359,11727m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m8!4m7!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c3a72b7b26ff53:0xbe2512eccb5afbbc!2m2!1d-74.4967505!2d40.8311744!1m0?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Easy, fun and delicious Quick Pickles. No canning needed. Just jars and your fridge. French style Tarragon Cornichon, Spiced Pickled Beets, Korean Style Kim Chi and some homemade fermented Sauerkraut.

And for the serious cook! Traditional Home Canned Bread and Butter Pickles. Savory, Sweet and Spicy at the same time. A little more work, but you’ll see, they are worth the effort and it’s FUN! You can keep these in your cupboard for more than a year, and they make a great gift!

Special thanks to Bartlett Tree Experts for their generous support of this event.

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Registration, Coffee, Welcome. Plus a chance to shop for special plants from Ted Hildebrant of Coldwater Pond Nursery and Steve Kristoph of Steve Kristoph Nursery.

10:00 AM – Ted Szczawinski

Hazardous Tree Identification

Hazardous trees pose a double danger, they are tough to recognize and they can be costly, even deadly, if not managed before an avoidable accident happens. In this presentation, Ted will walk you through the step-by-step process of identifying, assessing and developing a hazard mitigation plan to assist you in maintaining a healthy tree resource.

Ted Szczawinski is a graduate of both Rutgers University and Seton Hall University. He has worked in the field of arboriculture for over 40 years; he started teaching industry programs 30 years ago at Rutgers University’s NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education. Ted currently serves as a faculty adjunct at Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station’s Office of Continuing Professional Education and the Horticulture Department at Bergen Community College, teaching plant science.

Ted is a NJ Licensed Tree Expert, ISA Certified Arborist and NJ Department of Education Licensed Teacher of Agriculture.

11:00 AM – Jean Epiphan

Tree Care Fundamentals to Reduce Stress and Disease

Jean Epiphan will discuss important foundational steps to reduce transplant shock and establishment stress to improve tree health and longevity.  Topics include key aspects of site selection, soil types and amendments, proper planting of B&B and container stock, root collar excavations, ideal mulch options, bed size, structural pruning, best watering options, and reducing impacts of lawn trimming.  Cultural practices can go a long way to support tree health and avoid the use of pesticides.  

Jean Epiphan is an Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent/Assistant Professor at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County.  She is a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert and ISA Certified Arborist and certified in wetland delineation, wetland construction, and ecological restoration.  She received a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the Univ. of Vermont and has a graduate degree in Ecology from Rutgers Univ.  Jean has spent over 20 years researching and exploring local vegetation, plant communities, and forest ecosystem health; she has led forest and terrestrial ecosystem surveys throughout the greater NJ-NY-CT tristate area, including multiple research studies in Morris County.  Jean has worked in the landscape & tree care industry as a grounds manager, tree curator, landscape designer, and an arboricultural and ecological consultant.  In her current role she focuses on improving environmental sustainability and ecological health in ornamental horticulture as well as landscape management and conservation practices. 

12:00 Noon – Lunch – Assorted Sandwiches

1:00 PM – Kevin Chase

Current and Future Threats to Urban Trees and Shrubs

The focus of this talk will be on two recently established pests – box tree moth and beech leaf disease. Both pests are plant killers and are spreading rapidly. The biology, spread and management of each pest and disease will be discussed. Additionally, we will discuss a new canker and leaf spot affecting American and European hornbeam.

Kevin conducts entomological research on a variety of tree and shrub insect pests across North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Some of the major insect groups Kevin works with are scale insects, invasive caterpillars, bark beetles and wood boring insects. Kevin is also involved in trialing biological control agents and safer products for both human applicators and non-target insects. 

Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Kevin’s applied research focuses on integrated pest management of ornamental pests on the urban landscape. He researches how biological control can be used in plant health care programs as well as how to manage new invasive insect pests as they move across the globe. Kevin holds a Master of Science in Forest Entomology from Mississippi State University, a Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology from University of Canterbury, New Zealand and a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Forest Entomology from the University of Minnesota.

2:00 PM – Bruce Crawford

NJ Champions and Special Trees at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum is home to a number of unique and specimen quality trees.  In fact, some of these trees are not only the largest in the state, but are difficult to find anywhere else!  Join Bruce for this fun presentation as he discusses the history of these trees along with some thoughts on how many could possibly benefit and enhance your garden!   Bruce will also lead a brief tour around the grounds so that everyone can become personally ‘acquainted’ with a few of these specimens

Bruce has a degree in Biology from Bucknell University and studied Landscape Architecture and Horticulture at Cook College, Rutgers University. For nearly 25 years he had his own design/build gardening business that specialized in plantings for year-round interest. From 1987 to 2020, Bruce was an instructor in the Landscape Architecture program at Rutgers University. From 2005 to 2020, he was the Director of Rutgers Gardens, the botanical garden for Rutgers University. In 2021, Bruce joined the Morris County Park Commission as Manager of Horticulture for The Frelinghuysen Arboretum and two other horticultural sites.

3:00 PM – Bruce will lead a brief tour of the Arboretum grounds following his talk. Thanks to a donation from Bartlett Tree Experts, a native Halesia will be planted during the walk.

Attendees will have the opportunity at the Symposium to purchase plants from Ted Hildebrant of Coldwater Pond Nursery and Steve Kristoph of Steve Kristoph Nursery.

This program has been approved by the New Jersey Urban and Community Forestry Program for 4.0 NJUCF CEUs

This program has been approved by the New Jersey Board of Tree Expertsfor 5.0 CEUs

This program is eligible for 4.0 Rutgers Master Gardener CEUs

For questions, contact: mennist@arboretumfriends.net or lbencivengo@arboretumfriends.net

Sunday, November 16

Please note that this program will take place at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County Office, 550 West Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ

For directions click on the link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rutgers+Cooperative+Extension/@40.8318149,-74.5224413,733m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c3a0e053623eef:0xb14f4b3497f10284!8m2!3d40.8318149!4d-74.5224413!16s%2Fg%2F1tdm4nyr?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

What’s better than homemade edible holiday gifts made in your own kitchen? They’re super fun to make and even better to receive! Not only will you learn how to make some of these delicious items, we’ll also discuss packaging them to make the perfect gifts for your friends and family.

THIS PROGRAM IS FULL, BUT WE’LL BE HAPPY TO ADD YOUR NAME TO A WAITLIST. PLEASE EMAIL: mennist@arboretumfriends.net