Wooden Troll Sculptures Bring Visitors to North Carolina Arboretum

On December 23 the North Carolina Arboretum opened its North American outing of Trolls, A Field Study, installing twelve interactive wooden troll sculptures across its formal gardens and trails. The sculptures are the smaller baby trolls, each about 7 to 9 feet tall, constructed from reclaimed wood and natural materials and designed to invite exploration among plantings and paths.

Six of the trolls are placed in wheelchair accessible garden locations, and six are located along trails that may be less accessible to visitors with limited mobility. Daytime admission to see the trolls is included in the Arboretum parking fee, with members parking free. Separate ticketing applies for Winter Lights evenings when six of the trolls are featured as part of the Arboretum's special ticketed program.

The timing and placement have immediate implications for local households and businesses. Opening during the holiday week helps extend visitor traffic beyond the fall foliage season into a quieter winter period, supporting weekday and weekend activity for cafes, shops, and tourism services in Asheville and surrounding Buncombe County. The inclusion of trolls in the Winter Lights lineup creates a revenue stream through evening ticket sales while daytime visits remain part of standard parking revenue.

Community programming is built into the exhibit. Volunteer led public Troll Tours run Fridays and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. Private guided Troll Hunts are available for school groups, community organizations, and private parties, offering structured opportunities for group visitation. Leashed dogs are permitted during daytime hours, which further broadens the attraction for local families.

The Arboretum's online listing, promoted locally in the December 17 to 24 timeframe, includes images, FAQs, and Winter Lights ticketing information. For residents planning visits, the split in accessibility across locations means planning routes and timing can make the experience more manageable for mobility impaired visitors. As the installation remains on site through mid February 2026, it represents a seasonal draw that will shape winter visitor patterns and local economic activity across Buncombe County.