Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a 12.5-acre public arboretum and historic garden located in Summit, New Jersey. It is listed on both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. The site features a diverse collection of woody plants, themed gardens, and historic landscapes designed by notable figures in American horticulture.

History

The property's origins trace back to the late 19th century when it was part of a larger estate owned by John Horne Adams, a prominent New York City businessman. In 1889, the "Big Four" Railroad executive John E. R. DeLamater purchased the land and built the Queen Anne-style house that remains the site's architectural centerpiece. The landscape's first significant design was implemented by the DeLamater family, who engaged the pioneering landscape architect Calvert Vaux, co-designer of New York City's Central Park and Prospect Park. In the early 20th century, subsequent owners Susie and Robert Reeves commissioned the renowned landscape design firm of Olmsted Brothers, founded by the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, to expand and refine the gardens. The property was donated to the city in 1974 by John and Anne Reed, forming the core of the present-day institution, which is managed by a non-profit organization.

Gardens and features

The arboretum's landscape is a tapestry of distinct garden rooms and natural areas. The historic Olmsted Brothers design is exemplified by the **Rock Garden**, a terraced hillside featuring alpine plants and a cascading water feature. The **Rose Garden** showcases a formal, symmetrical layout with a variety of hybrid tea and floribunda cultivars. A prominent **Daffodil Bowl**, planted with thousands of naturalizing bulbs, creates a spectacular spring display. The **Wisner House**, the historic Queen Anne mansion, serves as the visitor center and administrative hub. Other features include a **Butterfly Garden** designed to support pollinators, a **Sensory Garden**, and a **Kitchen Garden** with edible plants. The grounds also encompass a **Woodland Trail** winding through a mature second-growth forest and a **Great Lawn** used for public events.

Collections

The arboretum's living collections focus on plants suited to the hardiness zone of northern New Jersey. The core collection includes over 1,500 documented accessions of trees and shrubs, with a particular emphasis on species that provide multi-season interest. Notable collections include a diverse array of holly (Ilex), dogwood (Cornus), and viburnum. The **Arboretum's** dendrology collection features specimen trees such as a towering American beech (Fagus grandifolia), a historic white oak (Quercus alba), and several rare conifers. The herbaceous collections are strong in spring ephemerals, native plants of the Northeastern United States, and a curated selection of hosta and fern varieties in the shaded woodland areas.

Education and programs

The arboretum functions as a community resource for horticultural and environmental education. It offers a wide range of programs for all ages, including workshops, lectures, and certification courses in topics like botany and landscape design. School field trips and scout programs align with New Jersey Student Learning Standards in science. Signature annual events include the **Festival of Trees** during the winter holidays and the **Daffodil Day** celebration each spring. The **Arboretum** also hosts art exhibitions, concerts, and wellness classes like yoga and forest bathing, integrating cultural and environmental themes. Adult education series often feature experts from institutions like the New York Botanical Garden and Rutgers University.

Conservation and sustainability

As a member of the American Public Gardens Association and Plant Collections Network, the arboretum participates in national plant conservation initiatives. On-site practices include integrated pest management, extensive use of compost and mulch, and the maintenance of designated wildlife habitats and rain gardens to manage stormwater. The institution advocates for the use of native plants to support local biodiversity, particularly for bird and pollinator species. Educational programming highlights issues such as invasive species management, the importance of old-growth forest ecosystems, and climate-resilient gardening. The **Arboretum's** sustainability efforts extend to the **Wisner House**, which incorporates energy-efficient systems.

Category:Arboreta in New Jersey Category:Summit, New Jersey Category:National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey Category:Botanical gardens in the United States