Dinosaur Landscape Coming to Glen Rock Arboretum

The following news release was sent by Almstead Landscaping.

The Thielke Arboretum in Glen Rock is taking a giant step backwards – into the age of the dinosaurs. This week, work is beginning on the “Almstead Prehistoric  Garden.” 

Alan McCullough, New Jersey Branch Manager of Almstead Tree, Shrub and Lawn Care Co. has been working with Carol Thielke, Director of the arboretum, to create a kid-friendly (and dinosaur-friendly) educational landscape.

What goes into a prehistoric garden?

“Trees and plants that have changed little over the millennia,” says Alan McCullough, “like Ginkgo trees, Dawn Redwoods and Taxodium.”

In addition to the time and money provided by Almstead, several local nurseries have donated trees and plants for the garden, including the Maine-Evergreen Wholesale Nursery, the Cedar Hill Wholesale Nursery and Eisele’s Nursery.

The Almstead Prehistoric Garden should be ready for visitors next spring.

“First we will be removing most of the invasive saplings that have spread out along the woodland floor, then pruning the mature trees to improve health and safety, then redesigning and adding pathways that are low impact to the sensitive roots that remain. Then the planting of the feature trees will start in a few weeks,” says McCullough. “We hope to have a formal opening in the spring.”

Almstead’s donation will also include ongoing organic plant health care services.

Next year, the arboretum also plans to break ground on a new environmental education center.

“We have an education program that has been quite popular,” Carol Thielke notes. “It’s been aligned to the New Jersey Core Curriculum. The Almstead Prehistoric Garden will allow children to experience a unique environment. I think it will be lovely.”

The Prehistoric Garden is just the first phase of Almstead’s commitment to the Thielke Arboretum. Over the next few years, they are planning to develop an Asian-themed garden and a butterfly garden.