Celebrate Maplewood’s magnificent trees

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood is known for its vast array of native and introduced trees, but many are now threatened due to storms, disease and the effects of global warming. On Sunday, June 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Durand-Hedden, NJ-certified and licensed tree expert Rich Wolowicz will provide tips on how to protect the health and longevity of trees, such as through preventative pruning, fertilizing and inoculating. Wolowicz is a graduate of Cook College, Rutgers University, an ISA Certified Arborist and Utility Specialist, a member of the board of the NJ Shade Tree Federation, and often lectures and writes about tree issues.

Grasmere Park — the grounds around Durand-Hedden — is a microcosm of Maplewood’s larger treescape and arborist Todd Lamm, retired head of the Maplewood Department of Parks and Shade Trees, will lead tree ID walks through the park visiting specimens, including an American elm, a black cherry, a black walnut, a box elder, a sassafras, a sugar maple, a white ash, a white pine and vintage apple trees. He will introduce their unique characteristics, habits and uses. Lamm has updated his Notable Trees of Maplewood brochure, which identifies 22 trees in town that he finds to be the most distinctive; this brochure will be available at the June 3 event. Visitors are invited to share photos of their arboreal favorites.

For children and art lovers of every age, local teaching artist Karen Fuchs will inspire all with a display of examples of branching and growth patterns in nature, followed by art-making activities such as sketching and printmaking using plant and tree materials found on the grounds. There will also be an opportunity to count the rings of an old-growth tree stump and to trace its history.

This family-friendly event is free. Durand-Hedden House is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood. For more information or to arrange group tours call 973-763-7712 or visit www.durandhedden.org.

Immediately following this event, at 4:15 p.m., there will be a brief annual meeting for Durand-Hedden House and Garden Association members.

  Durand-Hedden