It was originally named Paradise Farm before being bought by Henry and Robert Tubbs in 1908, who then renamed the property Willowwood after the natural collection of willow trees that exist in the area.

Afterward, the property was formed into a private arboretum and run by Rutgers University as a plant and tree research facility.

The arboretum consists of both wild forest and tended tree collections, farmland, a residence with two small gardens and a handful of smaller out-buildings.

The historic collections include oak, maple, willow, magnolia, lilac, cherry, fir, pine, a superb specimen of Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) now more than 98 feet (30 m) tall, masses of ferns and handsome stands of field and forest wildflowers.

Both wild and cultivated plantings can be seen on self-guiding tours through informal paths in open areas and woodlands.