AUBURN — People have been asking about the strange tubes that sprouted on the field located between the Pennsville-Auburn and Pedricktown-Woodstown Roads; the old Homan Farm in Auburn. The field does indeed looks strange and inside each five-foot tube is a newly planted tree.
Saplings need protection from deer browsing, so the trees are encased in plastic tree protectors. These “grow tubes” will stay on the trees for three to five years. When the trees are older and stronger, the tubes will be removed and used on another project.
The South Jersey Land & Water Trust added the 34-acre Homan Farm to the Oldmans Creek Preserve and planted over 8,000 saplings there in 2025 – N. Red Oak, White Oak, Scarlet Oak, Black Oak, Chestnut Oak and native Pines, each protected by grow tubes.
In 2026, a wildflower meadow was planted on the edge of the new forest. These new habitats will enrich the ecosystems and add variety to the landscape. Come visit the Oldmans Creek Preserve where you’ll find wonderful walking trails reaching from the creek to the new forest. The old Homan Farm is located at 21 Main Street, Auburn.
One Response
I am glad to see trees planted. But it is taking away farmland to plant trees seems like not such a great idea! Why not work with farmers and plant trees between the fields. All of the farm fields have tree breaks. But most are covered in poison ivy, thorns and other not so useful plants. Clean out all the weeds and plant trees along every single farm field in south Jersey. The Farmers would probably contract with you to do it for free give you permission to come and clean out the area. It’s always 10 to 30 feet wide. There’s very few real tall trees and even the tall trees. How protect the small trees from too much sunlight they hold moisture in the ground where they’re going to grow. It’s a perfect spot to gross little trees without using up any more land and using the land that’s already there and I bet the Farmers in order to get it cleaned out, would it let you use it for free?