Arboretum tour and mixer. This is a private event, closed to the public.

Private tour for members of the NY Upstate ASLA. This is a closed event.

Basic Tree Identification May 10, 2025, 10am till 12 noon.

May 10, 2025. Our Basic Tree Identification course is a two-hour program from 10am till 12 noon with William Snyder and Thomas Draves Which includes classroom and field instruction. This course reviews the basic elements of woody identification utilizing tree silhouette, leaf shape, buds and branching structure. Attendees will have hands-on instruction identifying woody tree species using terminal and lateral buds, leaf scars, bark, pith, and other features that can aid in the identification process throughout the seasons.
Seats are limited for this event. Registration required.

The outdoor portion of this class requires walking on mowed grass areas with changes in elevation.

Rain or Shine

This is a private event.

Program: 

8:00 am Welcome and Introductions

8:30-9:30 am Invasive tree insects and diseases - Nate Morey, DEC

9:30-10:45 am Plant health care program for the Draves Arboretum - Josh Falker, Draves Tree Service (onsite tour)

9:30-10:45 am The 15 most insect and disease-free trees in NYS - Tom Draves (onsite tour)

10:45-11:00 am Break

11:00 am-12:00 pm Pesticide handling & safety - John White, Certified Pesticide Training

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch

1:00-2:00 pm Controlling NY tree insects and diseases with natural organics and reduced exposure chemicals and methods - William Snyder, Registered Consulting Arborist #384

2:10- 3:30 pm DEC pesticide update - Christopher Wainwright, NYSDEC Reg 8

Registration $85.00 per person (includes morning coffee and muffins, as well as lunch)

• Includes Tour (there are almost 900 species on 30+ acres)

Bridal Shower private event

Western New York ReLeaf Urban Forestry Workshop

Program Speakers

Thomas Draves - Draves Arboretum

Darrin Strickland - Strickley Business Safety Solutions

Mike Sawyer - Olmstead Parks Conservancy

Greg Rose - Rose Forestry

Gary Raffel - Bartlett Tree Experts

Part 4 of a 4 part series. Cost 12.

Pest Management: Animals, insects and diseases you may encounter in your landscape, what a homeowner can do to keep plants healthy and when to hire a professional.

Enjoy and walk the Arboretum after class.

Part 3 of a 4 part series. Cost $12

Landscape Maintenance: Establishing and properly maintaining your landscape: considerations for fertilizing, pruning and planting bed amendment.

Enjoy and walk the Arboretum after class.

Part two of a four part series. Cost $12.

Recommendations for installing your landscape plan: Consideration for material selection, site preparation and installation.

Enjoy and walk the Arboretum after class.

This is a private event.

Part one of a four part series. Cost $12

Design: The steps homeowners can take to develop a landscape plan for their property.

Enjoy and walk the Arboretum after class.

Pancake Breakfast to benefit Draves Arboretum

You must preregister for this event.

This is a private event.

This Is a private event.

This is a private event.

This is a private closed event.

Monthly Meeting. This is a private event.

Join us for our Annual Open Tour! July 8, 2023.

This event is an opportunity for the public learn more about Draves Arboretum and experience our woody species collections through a guided tour of the grounds.
Curator Thomas Draves will be giving a guided tour of the arboretum that will include its history, species identification lessons, and answer any questions regarding the arboretum and it’s collections. Thomas has over 40 years of experience in the tree and landscape industry and has been an ISA Certified Arborist for many years.

The tour begins at 1:30 pm and is approximately two hours in length. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.

This is a private event.

Dr. Beth Brantley is the Northeast Research Scientist and Technical Support Specialist with the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories. She provides assistance to Bartlett arborists and their clients, conducts research on arboriculture related issues and engages with outreach opportunities. Her background includes forestry, plant pathology and teaching. Current research interests include bacterial leaf scorch, beech leaf disease and species in decline. Beth is based in New Hampshire and her favorite conifer genus is Abies.

This presentation will review species in decline, health issues, and opportunities for alternative species. Bark beetles, scale insects, phytophthora root rot and foliar fungi will be featured.

DEC ISA CREDITS.

Basic Tree Identification May 13, 2023, 10am till 12 noon.

May 13, 2023. Our Basic Tree Identification course is a two-hour program from 10am till 12 noon with Dr. Eric Randall (taxonomist by trade) and Thomas Draves that includes classroom and field instruction. This course reviews the basic elements of woody identification including evaluating tree silhouette, leaf shape, and branching structure. Attendees will have hands-on instruction identifying woody tree species using terminal and lateral buds, leaf scars, bark, pith, and other features that can aid in the identification process throughout the seasons.
Seats are limited for this event. Registration required.