Residents Making WCV Even Better
Woodcrest Villa Campus is an Accredited Arboretum
An arboretum is an outdoor living tree museum. MHC management granted permission to the WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Committee to include the entire 110-acre WCV Campus in an application to be an Accredited Arboretum. ArbNet, the association of accredited arboreta centered in Morton Arboretum in Chicago, granted Accredited Arboretum Status to the WCV Campus on August 31, 2022. This includes the Nature Trail, the Honor/Memory tree Arboretum, and the entire WCV Campus around the apartments and villas.
As a result, some trees in the more public areas of the campus have labels identifying what variety of tree they are. We especially highlighted trees native to Lancaster County. This was previously done on the Nature Trail. Not every tree is labeled, just those that exemplify a species.
Currently we have 35 Honor/Memory Trees with plaques, and 26 species of trees native to Lancaster County labeled on the campus.
We are very fortunate to have such a beautifully landscaped campus to live on. MHC Facilities Department will still do all maintenance on the campus including mowing the Honor/Memory Tree area. The WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Committee will continue to operate the Honor/Memory Tree program in its present location and maintain the Honor/Memory Trees and the Nature Trail.
We need to commend MHC for our beautiful campus and for keeping part of the campus natural and providing space for the Honor/Memory trees. Now that we are accredited, we will join a registry of 531 arboreta accredited globally. The only other accredited arboretum in Lancaster County is The Louise Arnold Tanger Arboretum on the grounds of the Lancaster County Historical Society.
Our ArbNet Link is: http://arbnet.org/morton-register/woodcrest-villa-nature-trail-arboretum-0
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The Nature Trail crew has completed an extension to the Nature Trail that comes out at the visitors parking lot across from Bluebird. Besides maintaining the trail, they are improving the Arboretum.
Nature Trail and Arboretum Mission. To promote the propagation of trees and gardens on the Woodcrest Villa campus in order to provide shelter and food for wildlife while serving as a living tribute that benefits present and future generations. In addition, to educate residents about the different varieties and shapes of the species selected for the Arboretum.
Entrance to the Arboretum from the Nature Trail.
WCV Campus Map with Nature Trail & ArboretumReturn to Top
Nature Trail
This plaque marks the dedication of the Nature Trail on September 19, 2020. It is mounted on a stone along the Trail
A video of the dedication ceremony is posted on YouTube
Several Woodcrest Villa (WCV) residents combined their love of the outdoors with their skills to create a nature trail on campus. The charming "Woodcrest Villa Nature Trail" is a half-mile long with multiple access points. Lew Kauffman, Dave Fatora and Jim McCoy were the three key forces behind this enjoyable addition. They were joined by other residents to build and maintain the trail. The route is surrounded by nature's beauty and it is completely cleared and protected with wood chips. The trail is completely walkable, and was extended to near Pheasant Pointe.
 The Woodcrest Villa (WCV) Nature Trail was dedicated to Lew & Gloria Kauffman on Saturday, September 19,
2020.
After moving to WCV in 2013, Lew started the Nature Trail and until it was completed in 2020. The committee has installed signs at the trail-heads. WCV installed a footbridge over a gully partway through the trail so that hikers won't have to walk onto the maintenance road. Below is a map of the trail.
Above right is a photo of one of the trail-head signs. Above left are Nature Trail Crew Members Jim McCoy, Jerry Lawrence, and Lew Kauffman (left to right).
Emergency Locator Signs give
the outside emergency phone number for WCV and
the location that WCV Security can find quickly.
They do require that someone with a cell phone, or
someone going to a phone, calls for help.
The trail was featured in an article in the Summer 2017 issue of Soaring. Click here to see a copy.
For more information on the Nature Trail crew contact Bruce Metzler at 717-984-2799 or pheasant305@gmail.com.
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Memory/Honor Arboretum
  The Arboretum was created in 2019 by Jerry Lawrence with the planting of two trees. It was started after Nancy Bare told Jerry she wanted to sponsor a tree to be planted in memory of a loved one.
In the Fall of 2019, the first two trees were planted in the new Woodcrest Villa Arboretum. The first one was a Dawn Redwood planted in memory of Eugene Bare. The other one was an Apple Serviceberry planted in honor of Lloyd Frey.
In 2023, the original area of the arboretum was filled to capacity with Honor/Memory Trees. The arboretum was expanded up to Spruce Drive. Linda Rice donated a bridge to connect the two areas of the Arboretum. By the Fall of 2024, both areas of the arboretum were filled with Honor/Memory trees.
The Woodcrest Villa Arboretum Honor Roll
Canada Red Cherry – Prunus virginiana ‘Shubert’ for Audrey Ackerman-Frey
Brandywine Red Maple – Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ for Jeffrey K. Alexander
Dawn Redwood – Metasequoia glyptostroboides for Eugene Bare
Northern Red Oak – Quercus rubra for Carl R. Beck
Blue Atlas Cedar – Cedrus atlantica glauca for Robert B. Belser, DDS
Evergreen Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora for Florence & Victor Benner
Littleleaf Linden – Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ for Phillip Bomberger
Okame Cherry – Prunus X ‘Okame’ for J. Wilmer “Willie” Bowman
Yellowwood – Cladrastis kentukea for James A. “Jim” Brown
Red Maple – Acer rubrum ‘Sun Valley for Gerald W. Burkhardt
Ginkgo -Ginkgo Biloba ‘Princeton Sentry’ for James Richard Dohren
Eastern Redbud – Cercis Canadensis “Forest Pansy” for Arlene & Henry Ebersole
Scarlet Oak – Quercus coccinea for Departed Emich & Lewicki Family Members
Sweetbay Magnolia – Magnolia virginiana for Lucy Eyster
Apple Serviceberry – Amelanchier x Grandiflora for Lloyd S. Frey
Hawthorn ‘Winter King’- Crataegus viridis for Enos L. Groff
Black Gum – Nyssa Sylvatica for Lew Kauffman
Crabapple – Malus ‘Royal Raindrops’ for Gerald R Lawrence
Red Maple – Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ for Larry G. Loughner
Cherokee Princess Dogwood – Cornus florida for Philip Arthur Lynch
Japanese Flowering Cherry – Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’ for Constance McMullin
Swamp White Oak – Quercus bicolor for Ken Rankin
Kousa Dogwood – Cornus kousa for Beth Rogers
Red Maple – Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ for Ronald O. Schaar
Tulip Poplar – Lirodendron tulipifera for Ralph Schillinger
Princeton Elm – Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’ for The Frances Seiple Family
Swamp White Oak – Quercus alba for Dorothy B. Seitz
Weeping Cherry – Prunus subhirtella ‘Double Pink’ for Lt. Col. Charles Southwood
Sugar Maple – Acer saccharum ‘Green Mountain’ for Ronald V. Straley
Serviceberry – ‘Autumn Brilliance’ for Esther Yon-Sook Suh
London Planetree – Platinus X acerifolia ‘Exclamation’ for Lorie Hartman Sullivan
Franklin Tree - Franklinia alatamaha for David R. Terry
Flowering Crabapple – Malus ‘Prairiefire’ for WCV & MHC Healthcare Heroes
River Birch – Betula nivea for Dr. Alexander Zimmerman
These trees will provide such things as fall color, food for wildlife, spring flowers, food for birds, and red foliage.
The Arboretum was featured in an article in the Winter 2020 issue of Soaring. Click here to see a copy.
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Memory/Honor Benches
 
Now, both the original arboretum and the expansion area are
filled with honor and memory trees. A new opportunity to honor
or remember a loved one is with a bench, either a campus bench
or an arboretum/nature trail bench. Each bench includes a plaque
where you can place your message. For more information
contact Steve Henning at acer103@earthlink.net or call 7116.
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Help Appreciated
The committee invites Woodcrest Villa residents to volunteer to help with any of these projects.
- To volunteer for the Nature Trail & Arboretum crew, contact Bruce Metzler at 717-984-2799 or pheasant305@gmail.com.
- To help pay for supplies for the trail and arboretum, contact David Suh at 717-984-2783 or kwangsuh42@hotmail.com
Many Thanks to the 25 residents & staff that turned out to plant 100 flowering shrubs and small trees around the edges of the Arboretum on Saturday morning, Oct. 24. (click for printable image)
There are certain items the committee needs donations to buy including:
|
Benches
Materials |
Mulch
Tools |
Trees
Wood Chips |
If you can help obtain any of these items, Bruce Metzler at 717-984-2799 or pheasant305@gmail.
Monetary donations can be made to the "Mennonite Home Communities" with the note for "WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum" and send to WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Treasurer:
David Suh, Treasurer
WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum
2001 Harrisburg Pike, PH202
Lancaster, PA 17601
If you would like more information on cash donations or obtaining an honor or memorial tree and plaque, contact David Suh at 717-984-2783 or kwangsuh42@hotmail.com.
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Photo Album
Click on photo to enlarge
Here are some photos:
Trail Crew Members, from left to right, Tony Harnish, Dave Warfel, Bruce Metzler, and Lew Kauffman are removing invasive plants and debris in the arboretum along the tree boundary and Swarr Run Creek.
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Documents and Downloads
Here are some documents to assist Nature Trail & Arboretum members:
Tri-Fold Nature Trail Brochure (pdf)
It has Emergency Locator Marker locations and labeled tree locations.
Book of WCV Arboretum Honor & Memory Trees
Has a page for each existing Honor & Memory Tree and application for new ones.
2022 Honor & Memory Trees Map (pdf)
Identifies the locations of trees in the Honor/Memory Arboretum.
2022 Nature Trail Trees Map (pdf)
Identifies the locations of trees along the Nature Trail.
2022 Campus Trees Map.pdf
Identifies the locations of trees along the Campus Walk.
2022 Cul De Sac Island Trees (pdf)
Identifies the locations of trees in the east villas.
2024 Serviceberry Mini-Festival Flyer (pdf)
March 2025 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"WCV Arboretum Honor Roll, Honor & Memory Benches for Campus & Arboretum & Nature Trail."
February 2025 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Thanks to Donors & Volunteers, Honor & Memory Benches for Campus & Arboretum & Nature Trail."
January 2025 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Inspiring Quotes to Celebrate Trees and Their Stewards This New Year"
December 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"The Little Conestoga Blue/Green Corridor Restoration & Trail"
November 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Fall Foliage at Woodcrest Doesn't Disappoint, Arboretum Views on October 24."
October 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"October Is Fall Foliage Time; Heat Wave & Drought Affect Fall Foliage."
September 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"The Franklinia Tree."
August 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"How Trees Survive Heat Waves & Drought, Protecting From Ticks & Mosquitos."
July 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"What is a Trullium?, Trail is Visually Impared Accessible, and Honor/Memory Trees for Fall Planting."
June 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Memory & Serviceberry Mini-Festival features tasting June 14 and a program June 18, Honor/Memory Tree update."
May 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Memory & Trees in bloom on Arbor Day in Arboretum, Photos on Nature Trail on Arbor Day."
April 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Memory & Honor Trees on Harrisburg Pike, Pictures on campus on Good Friday."
March 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Landscape Crew Earns Conservation Certification, Bluebirds return, Arboretum Expansion area opens."
February 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Thanks to Donors & Volunteers, Water Testing, Landscape Crew Gets Sustainable Landscape Class."
January 2024 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Arboretum Bridge Dedicated to Dr. Samuel Rice; 2023 Rainfall"
December 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Maple Fall Foliage, Easy Access to Arboretum & Nature Trail, Water Quality"
November 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"The November Newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Lew Kauffman"
October 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"New Bridge, Scavenger Hunt Winners, No-Mow Areas, & Wild Flowers in Bloom"
September 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Scavenger Hunt, For the Birds by Mike Fritz, Spotted Lantern Fly, Cicadas, & Honor/Memory Trees"
August 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"WCV Tree Scavenger Hunt, Honor/Memory Tree Program, and Tree Scavenger Hunt Walks"
July 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Trail Maintenance, Bridge Site, Bluebirds, Rainfall at WCV and the Drought"
June 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Trail Crew Removes Garlic Mustard, Sustainability Workshop, Container Workshop"
May 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Watering Trees, Bluebells & Bluebirds, Native Plant Container Workshop"
April 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Trail Crew Removes Asian Wineberry, Green Master Plan Presentation"
March 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Trail Crew & Wood Shop Install Birdhouses, New Nature Library"
February 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Thanks to Donors & Volunteers, Committee, What Understory Tree Keeps Leaves"
January 2023 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Sycamore stands out in winter; River Birch for all seasons"
December 2022 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"6 Honor/Memory Trees Planted, Arboretum is Full, Systainability, Arboretum Access Trail"
November 2022 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Workshop, Tallamy to Speak, Little Conestoga project to begin"
October 2022 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"WCV Campus is an Accredited Arboretum, Donations Change, New Bench in Arboretum"
September 2022 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"WCV 2022 Rainfall, Honor Memory Trees, Honor/Memory Tree Candidates"
August 2022 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Emergency Locator Markers, The Survivor Tree, & What's Happening"
July 2022 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Wild Flower Meadow, What's Happening, & Memory Trees in Fall"
June 2022 WCV Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Bush Honeysuckle, Mayapple, Black Raspberry, & Dames Rocket"
May 2022 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Butterfly Garden planted on Earth Day, Redbud"
April 2022 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Help Wanted for Flower Factory, April Planting Party"
March 2022 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Little Conestoga Project, Easy Trail to Arboretum, Veterans Garden"
February 2022 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Thanks to Patrons & Volunteers, Veterans Garden, Prep. for Wild Flower Garden"
January 2022 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"7 New Trees in November, Veterans Memorial, Prep Wild Flower Bed, Nature Trail Booklet"
December 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Pollinator Garden, Unknown Soldier Memorial, Craft Show, New Trees, Year in Review"
November 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"London Plane Tree; Bruce Metzler is Secretary; Wild Flower Garden, Rain Garden; 7 New Trees"
October 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"New Tribute Trees; Picnic Table; Doug Tallamy; David Suh follows Dennis Good"
September 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"New Honor/Memory Trees; Bench & Chips; Heavy Rains"
August 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
" Flower Factory Starts Up, Tree Shelters, New Trees, Trail Crew"
July 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Flower Factory; Tree Shelters; New Trees; Trail Crew"
June 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"London Planetree; New Mower; Picnic Table Coming, Rhododendron Bed"
May 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Arboretum Dedication; Jerry Lawrence - Volunteer of the Year; Videos"
Special April 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Arboretum Dedication May 1; Take only memories, Leave only footprints; Honor & Memory Trees"
April 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Arboretum Dedication May 1; Planting Party; Future Tree Possibilities"
March 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Arboretum Dedication May 1; Planting Party; The first 8 Honor/Memory Trees"
February 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Thanks to Patrons & Volunteers; Arboretum Dedication is May 1"
January 2021 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Arboretum Dedication is May 1; Fun Facts"
December 2020 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Fall Plantings in Arboretum and on Nature Trail"
November 2020 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Planting Party in Arboretum Plants Over 100 Shrubs and Trees"
October 2020 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Dedication of Nature Trail To Lew and Gloria Kauffman"
September 2020 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Little Conestoga Blue/Green Corridor & WCV"
August 2020 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Lew's Shed is Delivered/Meadowlark Victory Garden"
July 2020 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Thanks for Nature Trail & Arboretum Donations"
June 2020 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Honor/Memory Trees Sponsored"
May 2020 WCV Flower Factory, Nature Trail & Arboretum Newsletter (pdf)
"Nature Trail Crew Completes Trail Extension"
Dedication of the WCV Nature Trail to Lew & Gloria(Youtube Video)
Little Conestoga Blue/Green Corridor Project(pdf)
Native Trees of Lancaster County (pdf)
Woodcrest Villa Arboretum Article in Fall 2023 Soaring (pdf)
Woodcrest Villa Arboretum Article in Winter 2020 Soaring (pdf)
Woodcrest Villa Memory/Honor Tree & Plaque Form (pdf)
Woodcrest Villa Nature Trail and Arboretum Policies (pdf)
Woodcrest Villa Nature Trail Article in Summer 2017 Soaring (pdf)
Woodcrest Villa Nature Trail Map (pdf)
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Many Thanks to the 25 residents & staff that turned out to plant 100 flowering shrubs and small trees around the edges of the Arboretum on Saturday morning, Oct. 24. (click for printable image) 
