The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary (16.5 acres), also known as the Hartshorn Arboretum, is an
arboretum
An arboretum (plural: arboreta) in a general sense is a botanical collection composed exclusively of trees of a variety of species. Originally mostly created as a section in a larger garden or park for specimens of mostly non-local species, man ...
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
, United States. Its trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk without charge. Various programs are also offered for children, families, and adults.
The grounds
The arboretum began when the 16.5 acres of land was gifted to Cora Hartshorn in 1923 by Stewart Hartshorn on undeveloped woodland of
oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' (; Latin "oak tree") of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 500 extant species of oaks. The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably ''L ...
s,
tulip tree
''Liriodendron'' () is a genus of two species of characteristically large trees, deciduous over most of their populations, in the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae).
These trees are widely known by the common name tulip tree or tuliptree for their ...
s,
dogwood
''Cornus'' is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods, which can generally be distinguished by their blossoms, berries, and distinctive bark. Most are deciduous trees or shrub ...
, and
beech
Beech (''Fagus'') is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. Recent classifications recognize 10 to 13 species in two distinct subgenera, ''Engleriana'' and ''Fagus''. The ''Engle ...
. She designed a system of roads and walking paths; by 1938 there were of paths. In 1958, Cora died, and she willed the arboretum to the township.
The arboretum contains 45 species of trees, including 275-year-old
tulip tree
''Liriodendron'' () is a genus of two species of characteristically large trees, deciduous over most of their populations, in the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae).
These trees are widely known by the common name tulip tree or tuliptree for their ...
s, as well as rare
fern
A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...
s, over 150 species of
wildflower
A wildflower (or wild flower) is a flower that grows in the wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. The term implies that the plant probably is neither a hybrid nor a selected cultivar that is in any way different from the w ...
s, and 100 species of birds and represents a critical habitat for plants and wildlife.
The Stone House
The original part of the building, also known as the Stone House, was built in 1933 for Cora. All the stones in the Stone House are from Stewart Hartshorn's local quarry in nearby Springfield, NJ. Around 1970, an addition to the Stone House was added as there was a need for more office space. In 2007, the Stone House underwent renovations. The previous addition was removed and replaced with a reception area, bird observatory, additional office space, a basement, and an upstairs meeting room. The Stone House also received a kitchen space.
Animals
The Stone House is home to a variety of animals, including reptiles such as
leopard gecko
The leopard gecko or common leopard gecko (''Eublepharis macularius'') is a ground-dwelling lizard native to the rocky dry grassland and desert regions of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Nepal. The leopard gecko has become a popular pet, ...
s,
Chinese box turtle
The Chinese box turtle (), also known as the yellow-margined box turtle, or golden-headed turtle, is a species of Asian box turtle. Taxonomy (biology), Taxonomically, it is called ''Cuora flavomarginata''.
Anatomy
''C. flavomarginata'' has a hi ...
s,
Eastern painted turtle
The painted turtle (''Chrysemys picta'') is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They have been shown to prefer l ...
s, and an albino corn snake. Mammals housed are rabbits and a chinchilla. There is also an
Eastern spotted newt
Eastern may refer to:
Transportation
*China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai
*Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways
*Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991
*Eastern Air Li ...
Access to the trails is free. Visitors or interested parties can sign up for membership. Membership dues provide crucial support for education programs and maintenance of the woodlands. The CHA offers a variety of programs and events for children, families, and adults. These include hikes, camping trips, and classes for children.