Draves Arboretum

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Darien, NY
Draves Arboretum

A Level III ArbNet accredited arboretum and a American Conifer Society reference garden. The Arboretum is a Level III collection as accredited by ArbNet.

Draves Arboretum is open by appointment only and contains over 800 different species of trees and shrubs. Memberships are available along with a newly built meeting facility for educational programs and event rental.

12/05/2025

Let the gingerbread house competition begin. A wonderful family event presented by Kimberly Draves.

12/03/2025

Draves Arboretum Christmas Raffle

11/09/2025

10/26/2025

It was a spooky Saturday at the arboretum, for those who attended the Tree Trunk and Treat. Witches, goblins, clowns and all sorts of demons roamed the grounds. We even had a bucket full of free brains for whomever might need one.

10/23/2025

One of the finest shrubs for fall coloration in the shaded woodland garden, Disanthus cercidifolius, commonly called Disanthus, won't let you down. Purple, orange, red and various shades of pink give the appearance the plant is a blaze. Native to Japan, a member of the Witch Hazel family Hamamelis, thrives in the shaded garden. Dark purple and tinny paired blooms appear late fall into winter, expect a landscape footprint of six to eight feet at maturity. Truly one of our plant treasures at Draves Arboretum.

10/16/2025

Tree Academy Workshop for Municipal Tree Workers, Wow what a huge turnout today.
This year's focus was on tree roots, their function, protection during construction, how to locate them for construction projects, care for planting projects and much more.

10/08/2025

Draves Arboretum 1815 Sharrick Road Darien
October 25,2025
1:00-3:00 pm

Trick or Treat amongst the trees!
Calling all little Wizards, Warlocks and Witch-hazel lovers. Join us for a barking good time as we wander through the woods, hunting for Halloween treats, at the spooktacular Draves Arboretum Tree Trunk & Treat Fest.
Bring your best little trick-or-treat pail or your favorite 5-gallon bucket, preferably with drainage holes (to prevent root rot), and spruce up your pithiest Halloween gear. Children will be invited to ramble from tree to tree to gather assorted tidbits while exploring the arboretum grounds.
Tree identification skills helpful, but not necessary. Being able to evaluate which kind of candy is your favorite is a must.
Rain or shine!

10/06/2025

Draves arboretum welcomes Niagara County Community College
students to Tree Identification Workshop, the weather was perfect and attendance was great. We will see this group again next year.

09/11/2025

Celebration Of Life Honoring Rex Webber
Saturday, September 13, 2025
10:00 AM 12:00 PM
Please bring your favorite stories and personal reminiscences to share with friends and family at a Celebration of Life honoring Rex Webber, Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Draves Arboretum.

Rex was a highly respected authority in the tree industry and beloved by all who knew him. As the founder of Bradley Tree and Landscaping, he was a pioneer in the fields of both nature conservation and arboriculture. Rex believed that we are all God's stewards of this earth, and he spent his life pursuing that belief, dedicated to preserving the natural world around him and inspired others to do the same.

The Celebration of Life service will include the dedication of a memorial tree and companion marker on the grounds of Draves Arboretum to help perpetuate the memory of Rex, his amazing life and lasting legacy.

The Arboretum gratefully acknowledges the following donors in memory of Rex Webber

The Webber Family

The Draves Family

The New York State Arborists Association

The William Snyder Family

08/26/2025

Welcome Gates Garden Club, inspiring conversation as we toured the tree collection for a few hours. Hope to see this group again.

08/22/2025

Welcome New York State Arborists to the Regional Educational Seminar. It was a full house packed with arborists ready to expand their knowledge in arboriculture.

08/04/2025

New York State Arborists Regional Educational Seminar $85
Thursday, August 21, 2025
8:00 AM 4:00 PM

The NYS Arborists Association in conjunction with Draves Arboretum present:

The New York State Arborists Regional Educational Seminar

At Draves Arboretum

8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks

8:45 a.m. Ticks, Ticks and More Ticks
Mark Wilson of Natural Repellents will speak on our increasing tick population, tick identification and tick control measures.

9:45 a.m. Break

10:00 a.m. Oak Wilt and Beech Leaf Disease Update
Nate Morey, NYS DEC

11:00 a.m. Outdoor Labs
Please Select One
Lab 1: Examine the most insect and disease resistant trees of NYS with Tom Draves, Draves Tree and Landscaping
Lab 2: Structural Pruning with Jared Webber, Bradley Tree and Landscaping

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. Drones in Arboriculture
Live Demonstration of commercial grade drones by EagleHawk

2:30 p.m. Neonicotinoid Training
Don Gabel, Emerald Tree Care, Speaker
Complies with NYS DEC training requirements

3:30 p.m. End of Seminar

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Address

1815 Sharrick Road
Darien, NY
14040

Telephone

+15855473341

Website

http://www.dravesarboretum.org/

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Our Story

Draves Arboretum is open by appointment only and contains over 500 different species of trees and shrubs from all over the world. The Arboretum is a Level III collection, accredited by ArbNet, provisionally chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and incorporated under the New York State Education Law. We offer General Annual and Professional Charter memberships.

The Arboretum hosts a myriad of events from tree identification classes, guided tours, and other educational activities pertaining to the green industry. Our newly built meeting facility, the Richards Complex, is the perfect space for indoor educational programs and private events.

Thomas Draves, president and founder of Draves Arboretum, loves educating others about woody plant identification as well as best uses in WNY landscapes. His passions include discovering and introducing new cultivars into the landscape trade.

We hold a Open Tour at least once a year open to the public to visit and learn more about the Arboretum. You can also book your own group tour as well as host private events such as birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries or even class reunions and much more. Call the office or email us for details.