Basic Tree ID. $25
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.
Annual Open Tour $12
Join us for our Annual Open Tour! July 12, 2025.
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.
Portions of this event will require walking on lawn areas encountering elevation changes.
Niagara County Community College Tree Identification Course
This course has been provided for NCCC for students for over fifteen years, it is a requirement in their curriculum for earning specific credits of courses in the green industry. The session articulates hundreds of key points to identifying over sixty different trees and shrubs. This is a private event.

Annual Membership Meeting
October 14th is our seventh annual Membership Meeting! We value our members and thanks to you we are able to continue to expand our educational mission. Come enjoy an afternoon among the trees as we look back on this year’s growth and ahead to the future of Draves Arboretum.
Plantasia Welcome to the Jungle
Stop in and have a conversation at our booth about the trees in your yard!
New York State Arborists Plant Health Care Workshop
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)
Storm Response 2024 ReLeaf Workshop
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
Renovating and Maintaining Your Home Landscape Part 4. Pest Control. By Josh Falker.
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.
Renovating and Maintaining Your Home Landscape Part 3, Landscape Maintenance, By Thomas Draves
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.
Renovating and Maintaining Your Home Landscape Part 2, Recommendations for installing your landscape plan. By Paulina Masailo.
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.
Renovating and Maintaining Your Home Landscape Part 1 Design by Tim Richley
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.

NYS Department of Agriculture-Plant Department
Monthly Meeting. This is a private event.

Annual Open Tour $12
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.
"The Conifer Conundrum", Climate change, cultural conditions, pests and pathogens present challenges for many of our favorite conifers.
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 ID. $25
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.
Come see us at Plantasia. Fairgrounds Event Center and Artisan Hall, 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075
Draves Arboretum will be having a booth display at Plantasia this weekend, stop by to say HI. We will also be giving a seminar on Sunday at twelve noon called, Four Seasons of Interest, This seminars discussion will be of trees and shrubs that can enhance your landscape all year long,
Tree Academy Workshop for Municipal Workers
Participants will gain hands-on knowledge of:
Proper pruning cuts for trees and pruning medium-sized over grown trees.
Selection of desirable street and park trees based on Western New York soils and conditions.
Basic tree identification.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of several important pests threating WNY’s trees.
Safe chainsaw use and basic maintenance, simple notches and bucking techniques.
Bucket Truck inspection and safety.