Local Roots

Pohatcong Native Arboretum

The Pohatcong Creek winds thirty miles through Warren County from its source just west of Hackettstown to the Delaware River south of Phillipsburg, following another of the many Appalachian ridges that run across Northwest New Jersey. Its watershed lies parallel and between those of the Musconetcong River to the south and the Pequest to the north. Just about halfway along its route down the to Delaware Valley, the river crosses State Route 31 between Oxford and Washington Borough. As it approaches Mine Hill Road, butting up to Round Top Mountain, the river enters Washington Township Park, part of the Pohatcong Creek Natural Area, and home to the Pohatcong Native Arboretum.

The proliferation of non-native species of flora and fauna in New Jersey has long been a concern for ecologists, especially in our fragile wetlands where a sustainable natural balance is imperative. Conservancies all over the state are reestablishing native species wherever they can. Here at the arboretum, visitors can see exactly what some of those plants are.

The arboretum was eleven years in the making; students from the Warren Hills Regional High School planted the first trees here in 2002. Since then, in fits and starts, but always under the guidance of local botanist and native plant specialist, the Pohatcong Arboretum has become home to an ever-expanding collection of over 150 species of native trees and shrubs.

In a fenced-in, deer proof, area specimens are organized by family and planted in raised beds covered with glacial stones; some from the Delaware River, some from the mountain. Signs identify each plant family by their familiar name: Dogwood rather than Cornaceae; Rose rather than Rosaceae, Hydrangea, Birch, Laurel, Maple, Heath, Hazelnut, Ash. The “energetic center” of the project, the Circle of Life, incorporates native American Indian spiritual aspects, contributed by designer “Seneca” Jeff Stevens, who oriented plants in ways they grow naturally, included markers for the compass directions, and added a beautiful sculpture reminiscent of a dream catcher.

The exhibition rises up the hill out of the fenced area with new plantings of oak, ash, American chestnut, beech, even a Jersey pine. There is also the Robert Rush Memorial log cabin, which has been assigned for future use by Warren County Arts. Then it’s on into the woods for a 1.8 mile trail loop along the creek and through the wetlands along boardwalks constructed, again by students. More natives: a cherry here, a black walnut there, and a big old tulip tree. Did you ever walk in the woods and wonder exactly what each and every plant within sight was? A trip here gets you started!

The arboretum, located at 56 Mine Hill Rd, Washington, is open daily during daylight hours.

Nearby accommodations and attractions

  • Millbrook Village

    Millbrook Village, part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, is a re-created community of the 1800s where aspects of pioneer life are exhibited and occasionally demonstrated by skilled and dedicated docents throughout the village

  • Rutherfurd Hall

    Consider Rutherfurd Hall as refuge and sanctuary in similar ways now, as it served a distinguished family a hundred years ago.

    1686 Route 517, Allamuchy

  • Allamuchy Mountain Park

    The 8,461 acre park includes the 2500-acre Deer Lake Park, Waterloo Village, mountain bike and horseback trails.

    Hackettstown

  • Pohatcong Native Arboretum

    Local roots!

    56 Mine Hill Rd, Washington

  • Evergreen Valley Christmas Tree Farm

    Choose and Cut from 10,000 trees! Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Pine Fraser Fir, Canaan fir, Douglas Fir. Family run on preserved farmland. Open Nov 29 - Dec 23, Tues-Sunday, 9-4. Easy Access from Routes 78 or 80.

    77 Jackson Valley Road, Washington

More...

This story was first published: Autumn, 2013
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