Ford's Colony Arboretum

The Ford’s Colony Arboretum is situated within a 35-acre wetland forest along Chisel Run, a tributary of Powhatan Creek which flows into the James River. Over 50 unique trees and woody shrubs are tagged along a 1.3-mile Nature Trail coursing through this protected natural habitat. Altogether, over 65 trees and woody shrubs are identified with tree tags each having a Q.R. Code linked to that species’ listing in the Virginia Tech Dendrology. All identified plants are natives with the exception of a crepe myrtle located adjacent to the scenic 9-acre Chisel Run Pond.

The Nature Trail abounds with natural beauty, wildlife and activity.  The Ford’s Colony Trailblazers Club helps maintain the Nature Trail and Boy Scouts Troop 1607 has done several Eagle Scout projects along the Trail. Master Gardener Tree Stewards and Master Naturalists monitor and provide routine maintenance of the arboretum collection along the Trail. Tree tours are provided including a tour along a relatively flat, mostly paved surface for individuals with limited mobility. And the Trail is used weekly for birdwatching tours during which bird species ranging from hummingbirds to bald eagles have been identified as being present.