Viles Arboretum is partnering with Fedco Trees for a Fruit Tree Grafting workshop in Augusta on Saturday, April 1st from 10 am – 2 pm.

Learn to propagate and reproduce favorite apple varieties with instructor Jennifer Ries of Fedco Trees. She will explain how & why to graft and demonstrate the techniques for Whip & Tongue grafting. This is a hands-on class — participants will graft stock to take home and care of seedlings will be discussed.

You will need to purchase a grafting knife in advance of this event!

This is the one you will need:

Right-handed:https://fedcoseeds.com/ogs/folding-grafting-knife-right-handed-8989

Left-handed:https://fedcoseeds.com/ogs/folding-grafting-knife-left-handed-8990

Additionally, please bring a lunch and clothes that can get a bit dirty. Course will run from 10am-2pm.

Cost: $80 which includes 5 fruit trees to take home. This is a great deal!

Class size limited to 10 people to ensure one-on-one coaching with the grafting knife. Sign up early to reserve your spot.

Fee includes instruction and all supplies including rootstock, scionwood and handouts.

Hop into spring at Viles Arboretum!

Stop by to meet the Easter bunny and get a photo. Spring themed crafts such as painting wooden eggs and coloring are included. Snacks and refreshments will also be available!

$5 for children over one year 

Free for member families!

Interested in purchasing a membership? You can do so here: become a member.

Have you ever wanted to be an Easter bunny? Well here’s your chance!

We are looking for volunteers to help with our Spring event on April 1st, 3pm-5pm. You can help by:

- Dawning the bunny costume and provide a lasting experience for kids

- Help with set-up, clean-up, and facilitate making crafts at the crafting table

- Check-in and registration for the event

Hosted in partnership with Maine Primitive Skills School. 

We will identify through bark, branching pattern, buds, and leaves the hidden keepers of traditional foods, medicine, utility, and story.

This is an outdoor program, class meets on the back lawn behind the Visitor Center. Please come prepared for the elements (weather, insects, etc). 

"The Forest is the therapist, I open the doors for you to connect with the land. This is a slow meander in nature for adults. We will acknowledge the past and present tenders of the land, experience a somatic meditation, then catch some invitations to find joy in the land. We will end with a Forest Tea and sharing our experiences. 

This is not a hike, and will require the ability to walk a mile within 2 hours. Wear comfortable shoes, and clothes that are okay to get dirty and wet. Please pay attention to the weather; their may be snow, ice, mud or water on the land. Bring a beverage for hydration and perhaps a snack.Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so that we can start on time."

Want to learn how to prune your fruit trees to maximize yield and tree health? Whether you have a single backyard apple tree, or recently became the owner of an entire orchard, trimming your trees is an essential part of encouraging fruit production. 

Join Hillary Schultz for a hands-on learning opportunity in the Heritage Apple Orchard at the Arboretum. All participants will have the opportunity to put their skills to the test on real trees. 

Curious about volunteering? Been a volunteer for years? Are you brand new to volunteering?

Join us for a day at the Arboretum! We will have experienced volunteers and naturalists talk about the natural history of the property as well as future opportunities to get involved this year.

It will be a day to meet a dedicated volunteer community, learn about our local ecosystems, or just a day to go for a walk in a beautiful space with some knowledgeable folks.

Lunch will be provided. Not required that you are a current volunteer. 

Get ready to get your hands dirty as we dig deep into the concepts of organic gardening this April Break! Learn real world chemistry applications as we conduct soil chemistry experiments, testing for pH and essential nutrients. We will discover new ways to design and plan gardens to maximize food production in small spaces. Participants will be actively involved with helping Arboretum staff develop a new and improved community agriculture program on the grounds. 

This is a two-day program open to youth ages 10-14.

The price of this program is calculated using a sliding scale income-based model. What you pay is adjusted based on household income. The price breakdown is as follows:

Less than $10,000 - Contact us!

$10,001 - $30,000 - $43

$30,001 - $60,000 - $62

$60,001 - $90,000 - $90

$90,001 - $120,000 - $109

$120,001  and above - $126

This program starts at 9:00 and goes until 5:00.