HOME      VISIT      EVENTS     VOLUNTEER

During the winter months the arboretum is serene and the beautiful structures of the trees and landscaping become apparent.
The arboretum is special in every season.

The arboretum is open every day 8:00 AM to dusk,
weather permitting.

There are 7 pedestrian gates that are always unlocked.
The most commonly used are located on Home Hill to the
right of the Knippenberg Center and on Long Valley Road
near the exit from the Pines Lake Drive West parking lot.

The Knippenberg Center for Education 
is open April 8 - October 31
Tuesday through Sunday, 12 Noon - 4:00 PM

Ariella Chapnik Eagle Scout Project

Ariella Chapnik with recognition plaque               Ariella Chapnik at the Reflecting Pool

Ariella Chapnik completed her Eagle Scout project at Laurelwood Arboretum this past summer. Her project included cleaning out the South Rock Garden’s Reflecting Pool, rebuilding the retaining stone wall on one bank of the pool, replanting the area with Japanese primrose and other native species, and building two sound features in the brook. Ariella was responsible for creating the proposal, organizing the project, and recruiting additional scouts and volunteers to help. Come and enjoy this newly restored area of the arboretum.

Holiday String Concert

  Music Director Aron Topielski and the All Wayne String Orchestra

M.A.R.S. Trio:  Mackenzie Miller, Aron Topielski and Ron Gardener

On the afternoon of December 11, all of the middle and high schools in Wayne String Orchestra performed a festive holiday concert in the Knippenberg Center for Education. Students in the orchestra come from all Wayne middle and high schools.

The program also showcased the newly formed M.A.R.S. Trio, with the orchestra’s music director, Aron Topielski, performing works for strings alongside Ron Gardner and Mackenzie Miller.

Sculpture Trail News

New Sculpture Installed

Laurelwood Arboretum welcomes the New Year with the installation of “Lamiaceae Brickhead” by James Tyler. The large ceramic head measures 45 x 36 x 45 inches and can be found at site 11 near the South Rock Garden.

The title Lamiaceae refers to the botanical family commonly known as the mint family, which includes more than 7,000 species of flowering plants such as spearmint, peppermint, basil, sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme, oregano, catnip, lion’s ear and bergamot plants, all well suited to the arboretum’s natural setting.

Tyler’s Brickhead installations are larger-than-life ceramic heads constructed from individual bricks that are reassembled using stainless steel pins. This newly installed work is the third sculpture by Tyler to be featured on the Sculpture Trail at Laurelwood. It replaces “Gabriella” and “Brickhead Iyemoja,” both of which have been sold. All sculptures on the Sculpture Trail are available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Tyler received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Hampshire College in Massachusetts. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States, and in 2006 he was appointed the first Executive Director of the GAGA Arts Center in Garnerville, New York.

The Sculpture Trail is a multiyear initiative that presents distinctive works of art within Laurelwood’s natural landscape. The project is curated by Scott A. Broadfoot of the Broadfoot & Broadfoot Gallery in Boonton, New Jersey.

How Rhododendrons Protect Themselves in Cold Weather

Normally, rhododendron leaves are flat and extend horizontally from the plant, but in the winter the leaves of some rhododendrons will droop and might curl around as if the leaf is giving itself a big hug. Much like when humans wrap their arms around themselves or animals huddle when cold, rolling up their leaves offers rhododendrons protection from cold winds. The inner part of the leaf, where a lot of moisture loss occurs, is hidden from the wind when rolled.

Gardeners claim they can tell the temperature by how their rhododendron leaves appear; the more they roll and droop the colder it is, until around zero they start to look like green beans hanging from the branches. As it warms again, the leaves unroll and stand up again.

By Joe Di Giacomo

Gavin the Therapy Dog

In December Laurelwood received this lovely heart-felt email
from Linda DeYoung.

I hope the devoted volunteers and staff all know how much I and so many others appreciate what they do for Laurelwood. You may not hear us speaking it to you, but you will hear us in every quiet footfall on her trails; in every sigh and gentle smile as we forget worldly matters, allowing nature to pull those tension wires out of us. You will see it in our faces as every muscle relaxes, and the lines soften.

Laurelwood has never let me down. A stroll along her quiet woodsy paths always refreshes me. She is a friend I never want to lose. She is always there for me. On Thanksgiving weekend, it is fitting to visit her and give thanks for all of her gifts.

We went at natural dog pace, which allowed Gavin to sniff when he wanted to. Laurelwood nourishes Gavin as much as she nourishes me. (We respect the plants, and leave no fertilizer footprints!) When invited, Gavin will slowly and politely walk up to greet people.Two young children and their parents enjoyed how Gavin walked with them for a bit, and we made sure they discovered the path that leads to the bog pond and the totem sculptures. They had a wonderful time, and I encouraged the children to come back and explore more another day.        

We enjoy socializing with a few older couples and others who enjoy his civility. Some nice chats there. Winter quiet in the arboretum. The fallen leaves lend the impression of warm russet hues and blanket the ground that is starting to freeze. Our low golden winter sun was welcome, and we all were glad that yesterday's fierce winds had abated.

Laurelwood exercises our bodies, balances our minds, lifts our spirits, and inspires our souls who know beauty.

Sincerely,
Linda DeYoung

Donations to Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum help to support the park's maintenance, operations and public programs.

Dues and donations are deductible for income tax purposes
to the extent allowed by law.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Keep Our Arboretum Green!

Copyright © 2026 Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum.
All rights reserved.

Unsubscribe