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The Willowwood Arboretum and the Frelinghuysen Arboretum - both part of the Morris County Park Commission - have some of the best Metasequoias in the country. The Willowwood Arboretum is made up of 130 acres of beautiful rolling farm land in Far Hills, New Jersey. It contains over 3,500 native and exotic plants. The Arboretum is built around a wonderful house built in 1792 that features two small formal gardens. The park is named for the over 110 species of willow located throughout the property. With a combination of classic architecture and wonderful natural beauty, it is a hidden gem of Morris County. |
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The Frelinghuysen Arboretum features a group of Metasequoias planted in the 1970s that have grown extraordinarily well, on the other hand the Willowwood features a group of trees planted in 1950. Three plants were received in 1950 from Mr. James Clark of Princeton University, who had received many original seedlings from the Arnold Arboretum. A fourth plant was received in the same year from the New York Botanical Garden. These plants have grown well, with heights ranging from 85 to 106 feet. The one outstanding plant was received from Princeton, and has a base 61 inches in diameter. This huge specimen is one of the Top Ten Trees in the database. This is one of only two plants in my study that reached base diameters of over 60 inches. The other one is at Longwood Gardens, with a base 62 inches in diameter! The three other trees at the Willowwood have bases between 24 and 37 inches in diameter, which are more average numbers. Yet this one particular tree at the Willowwood is quite likely one of the more incredible Metasequoias in the country. Between this specimen and the ones at the Frelinghuysen, these two parks owned by the Morris County Parks Commission are not to be missed. Willowwood Arboretum 300 Long View Road Far Hills, NJ 07931 |
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