Leaf-Peeping At Landis Arboretum May Take Your Breath Away!

SCHOHARIE REGION (09/15/2008)(readMedia)--

Leaf-peeping gives way to awe at the beautiful 548-acres Landis Arboretum: an unforgettable place where visitors of every age marvel at the everyday- and exotic- treasures of this noteworthy collection of trees and shrubs from around the globe set against the spectacular vistas of legendary Schoharie Valley. Individuals and families with an eye on the gas gauge and a desire to enjoy Nature's abundance while staying close to home will enjoy the natural splendor of the Landis Arboretum in Esperance, NY, a leisurely and relaxing drive from anyplace throughout New York State's Capital Region.

Long been a coveted destination for horticulturalists, environmentalists, "earth watchers," "tree huggers," and amateur and professional birders, the Arboretum is central to the New York State Wine and Spa Trails and in close proximity to historic Sharon Springs. And, it is a natural stop for those traveling to the high-volume tourist attractions between the Albany, Cooperstown, and Finger Lakes Regions. Yet, many who live closer to the Arboretum have never experienced its trove of natural treasures.

The autumn weather offers an excellent opportunity to walk the beautiful grounds of the Arboretum or to take advantage of its more than eight miles of walking/hiking trails.

Visitors to the Landis Arboretum are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, and to wear sensible shoes and attire appropriate for the natural terrain of the Arboretum.

Experience the sights and scents of autumn as never before along the well-marked Landis Lape Trail -- and the more than 8-miles of hiking trails at Landis. Our cornucopia of offerings will thrill beyond words:

The 400-year-old Great Oak

Dawn redwood

Mountain ash

Sassafras tree

Japanese white pine

Corkscrew willows

American chestnut

Various crabapples

European larches

Norway maple

Ponderosa pines

Japanese umbrella pine

European hornbeam

Sakhalin corktree

Jeffrey pine

Laurel willow

Flowering ash

Yellowwood

European beech - with contorted trunk/branches

Golden larch

Contorted larch

Weeping Atlas cedar

Scotch pine

Weeping hemlock

Crimean pine

Sugar maple

Beech

Oak

Basswood

Birch

Black cherry

Hemlock

White pine

White ash

Natural Wonderland

Beyond more than a half-century of horticultural history and more than 100 years of the Lape family presence in the rolling Schoharie hillside, the Arboretum offers visitors more than eight miles of walking and hiking trails, free parking, and public access 365 days a year.

It is home, too, to hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife that delight a range of visitors from casual observers to researchers. The Arboretum is included in the New York State Route 20 Bluebird Trail, bringing even more birdwatchers to the site.

And, the Arboretum's vast dark sky and wide horizons attract the Albany Area Astronomers Club to its meeting house and parking field for sky-watching events.

Landis is also the Old Growth Forest headquarters of the Northeast, a designation that brings an increasing number of visitors to its gates each year. Its coveted and nationally recognized collection of oaks is registered with the American Public Garden Association's (APGA) North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC).

This designation indicates that the Landis Arboretum "stands among a prestigious group of gardens and arboreta that have committed themselves to the conservation and care of specific plant collections curated at the highest professional level."

Participation in the NAPCC indicates a readiness to make the Arboretum's Quercus Collection available for increased distribution and research, and a commitment to promote public awareness of conservation issues.

The NAPCC is a network of botanical gardens and arboreta across North America organized to coordinate and improve the collective living plant collections of the continent and enhance the conservation and availability of plant germplasm and future use. Participating institutions such as the Landis Arboretum commit to holding and developing collections of documented, living plants according to specified standards of collection, documentation, verification, maintenance, record keeping and sharing, and propagation and dissemination.

The Arboretum's varied terrain provides ideal conditions for an easy walk or an extended hike. Natural trails wind through mature and near mature forests, past ponds and wildflower fields, and through the collections and gardens. The natural areas of the Arboretum provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and study native plants, open-field succession, effects of invasive species, endangered plants, and forest communities of the Northeast.

Among the Arboretum's horticultural features are its collections of Notable Trees, the Flowering Ornamental Tree and Shrub Collections, Tough Trees for Tough Sites and the Conifer and Oak Collections. The signature Great Oak is one of the largest plants of its species in the Capital Region. The Van Loveland perennial garden, located in front of the farmhouse, is a seasonal favorite with visitors.

Horticultural Collections

The Arboretum consists of more then 548 acres, 40 of which are devoted to the natural heritage collections and gardens, representing approximately 2,000 labeled specimens. Within the planted acres, there are several important horticultural collections. These include:

Flowering Ornamental Tree and Shrub Collections

Lilacs

Landis preserves a historic lilac collection and maintains appropriate records for future generations to utilize. Fred Lape had a special interest in lilacs.

Father John Fiala in his book, Lilacs, the Genus Syringa, said "Fred Lape was an author, linguist, horticulturalist and a lilac enthusiast. His (book), A Garden of Trees and Shrubs, is a must for estate planners who are beginners. He was the originator of the beautiful late blooming white lilac ‘Summer White' for which he received an award of merit and commendation for his translation of the Russian Lilac publications into English."

Rhododendrons

The Arboretum's collection is made up of cold hardy members of the genus that will survive and grow in the northeast United States. The collection site also acts as a trail area for newly developed plants that have potential for use in northern landscapes. Rhododendrons are wonderful for color in spring providing a delight for the eye.

Crabapples

Crabapples provide spectacular spring blooming and autumn fruiting displays, however, diseases, and pests have been very destructive to the genus Malus. As a result of intensive breeding programs, most of the newer varieties of crabapples are resistant to diseases and pests. Visitors can see the older and more recently developed varieties side by side in the Arboretum's collection.

Tough Trees for Tough Sites

Urban trees site assessment selection for stress tolerance planting (Urban Horticulture Institute, Cornell University, 2000) lists varieties of trees appropriate for urban environments, having difficult conditions including very wet, very dry and road salt. Currently, Landis has all of the species highlighted in this publication available for public viewing which adds tremendous value to the informal learning for even casual visitors to Landis.

Based on this publication's recommendations Landis has a comprehensive collection of trees tolerant of difficult sites. This collection provides live specimens that may be viewed in their mature or near-mature forms so the homeowner and municipality may determine if the trees' form, size and impact are appropriate for a particular difficult location.

Conifer Collection

The Landis Conifer Collection is a representative sample of mature plants highly suited to the northeast landscape. This collection of plants --pine, spruce and fir-- is exceptional for its size, age and range of species. The fir (Abies) Collection at Landis has one of the most complete groupings of mature firs in the east, with seventeen species.

Oak Collection

The Arboretum is a nationally recognized collector of the genus Quercus, oaks of the northeastern United States, and has registered this collection with the APGA's North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC) The Arboretum collection is unique in that many of its oaks were started from wild seedlings collected by Fred Lape. These slow growing specimens are now approaching a youthful maturity of fifty years.

The Arboretum's Great Oak is conservatively estimated to be 400 years old. This white oak, Quercus alba, bears the marks of severe climate and northwest exposure.

Outstanding Specimens and Notable Trees and Shrubs

The Arboretum has a significant number of specimen trees and outstanding shrubs. Thirty of these trees are listed in the "Notable Trees" brochure. Outstanding shrubs can be found throughout the Arboretum. Forty one species of trees and shrubs growing at Landis are outside their hardness zone. These specimens are all labeled and can be found throughout the grounds.

Buckleya distichophylla is an endangered species that grows naturally in only one region in the United States, the southern Appalachians. Seven original seedlings from the Biltmore estate in Asheville, North Carolina, planted at Landis in 1952, have been surprisingly successful and have established the arboretum as an unexpectedly strong outpost for this plant. Its numbers have increased to over 55 plants.

Perennial Gardens

In addition to woody collections, Landis provides outstanding collections of flowering perennials for visitors to enjoy from March through November. The Van Loveland gardens include bulbs, perennials, shrubs and dwarf conifers.

Native Plant Collection

The Landis Arboretum has a notable variety of native ecosystems throughout the grounds and New York State's Most Compete Collection of Native Trees and Shrubs. A native plant initiative, begun in 2001, seeks to highlight the importance of native plants by providing identification labels and interpretive signs throughout the grounds. Nature enthusiasts are invited to join native plants curator Ed Miller on

Saturday, September 6. 9 am -Noon.

Native Plant Collection Walk

From the parking lot, the first stop will be at the bog garden, where you will see all of the woody bog plants that you would have to drive a couple of hundred miles to see in the Adirondacks. You will be up close and your feet will be dry. As a bonus there will probably be some non woody species like the pitcher plant in bloom.

From the bog garden we will walk toward the great oaks but turn off on the Willow Pond Trail where we have the Native Plant Collection. This trail is about a half mile long, with a couple of benches for rest stops. . You will see many plants that are native to NY but are unusual for the capital region. For instance we have three species in the Magnolia family, several species of shadbush and even a persimmon tree. More important than the rarities, we have nearly all the more common species so if for instance you want to compare the scarlet oak with the red oak or the black birch with the yellow birch, it is easy; they are growing within a few feet of each other.

September is a good time for this visit as the leaves of our trees and woody shrubs will be fully formed but not yet turned in color. Don't expect flowers on the shrubs of the collection as they mostly bloom in the spring. However the trail is bounded on one side by brush hogged fields so there should be lots of asters and goldenrods in late summer bloom. You may wish to bring a camera.

Eastern New York Old Growth Forest

The Landis Arboretums coordinates the Eastern New York Old Growth Forest Survey Team. This group of experts seeks out and records old growth forests in eastern New York for the purpose of study and preservation. In addition to this valuable work, Landis is a member if the North American Plant Collections Consortium, which participates in efforts to develop practical actins to safeguard plant diversity by international agencies and governments around the world. These efforts are supported by a wide variety in institutions, organizations and other groups. Botanical gardens and arboreta worldwide have become important centers for conservation and have proven to be a major force in protecting plant diversity. In concert with its outstanding natural heritage collections, the Landis Arboretum is steward and guardian to two old growth forests.

Horticultural Bonanza: Old Growth Forest Beckons

The Arboretum's 2001 land acquisition almost doubled the size of the site and contains a horticulture bonanza. A nationally known team of old-growth-forest experts surveyed the site and found species of trees ranging from 150 to 400 years old. One parcel of land near the Montgomery County line contains one of the oldest forests in the area.

This ancient forest is approximately 30 acres in size and is located in the northeast corner of the Arboretum. "This is a forest that has been untouched since the Revolutionary War," said Bruce Kershner, an ancient forest authority and author of The Sierra Club Guide to Ancient Forests of the Northeast. The newly acquired ancient forest and a smaller stand of old growth located near the Great Oak make Landis Arboretum an old growth forest headquarters. According to Mr. Kershner, the Arboretum is now one of three arboreta in eastern North America that have old growth forests. The other two are the New York Botanical Garden and Rutgers University.

Among its two Old Growth Forests stand a widely diverse range of species comprises the old growth forest. The dominant trees are American beech, sugar maple, hemlock, yellow birch, black birch, and red ash. Other species include striped maple, basswood, black cherry, paper birch, butternut hickory, American elm, and a few massive grapevines that are hundreds of years old and more than 85 feet tall."

Several stands of large American beech make this forest even more unique. Big beech trees growing in the wild are uncommon today due to a fungus disease known as the beech bark complex, which often kills beech trees before they can attain their mature size.

The old growth forest is accessible to visitors by walking the Great Oak/Woodland Trail, starting in the corner of the field behind the Arboretum's greenhouse to the Great Oak. The route, approximately three miles round trip from the parking lot to the Old Growth Forest area and back, is clearly marked for visitors to the Arboretum.

Landis is one of the four more significant arboreta in New York. The Planting Arboretum and Bayard Cutting Arboretum, both located on Long Island in a different hardiness zone, and the Cornell Plantations in Ithaca, with an extensive scientific orientation, compliment our scenic, rural, multifaceted operation.

The Landis Arboretum is now one of only three arboreta in eastern North America that have old growth forests. The other two are the New York Botanical Garden and Rutgers University - neither of which can compare to Landis' natural collection and pre-revolutionary flora.

Participate, Learn, and Enjoy

In addition to enjoying the natural splendor of Landis, visitors should consider classes and events to heighten their enjoyment of Landis and world it reflects:

September 20, Saturday, 2-3:30 pm

FALL FLOWER WALK

Goldenrods and asters make up most of our fall flowers. We'll study them and anything else that's blooming as we walk about the Arboretum's fields. Leader: George Steele, Science Educator. $5.

STAR PARTIES BRING EXCITEMENT

• September 26, Friday, 8 pm and September 27, Saturday, 8 pm
• October 13 (Saturday) 7:30 pm, WALK AMONG THE STARS, Constellation Tour
• October 24, Friday, 8 pm and October 25, Saturday, 8 pm
• November 21, Friday, 8 pm

The Albany Area Amateur Astronomers meet regularly at the Landis Arboretum Meeting House for its dark skies and good horizons. At public star parties telescopes are set up to show guests sights in the night sky. The Walk Among the Stars programs include constellation tours, the myths and stories associated with the constellations, and hints on enjoying the night sky. Star Parties and "A Walk Among the Stars" programs are canceled if the skies are mostly cloudy.

Registration is encouraged by calling Alan French at 374-8460 so we can call you if an event is canceled. You can also call to check about two hours before the start time if you did not register. No admission; free parking.

October 5, Sunday, 2-3:30 pm

NATURE FOR SCOUT AND YOUTH GROUPS

Children participating in scout and youth organizations have nature and ecology badge opportunities. This walk will help them meet requirements that have them exploring and learning about the natural environment. Children need not attend with their troop. It is recommended that groups call ahead so that we can plan for larger numbers. Leader: George Steele, Science Educator. $5

October 24, Friday, 7-8:30 pm

HALLOWEEN OWL PROWL

Join us as we prowl the Arboretum's woods listening for owls. We'll start in the Meeting House with a talk on owls and their behavior. Then it's into the woods to listen and, if we're lucky, look at owls. Leader: George Steele, Science Educator. $5/person; $15/family..

October 25, Saturday, 9 am-3 pm

FALL WORKFEST & Salute to Arboretum Volunteers

Bring your friends and your work gloves to Landis to prep the Arboretum for the season ahead. Come for part of the day or the full day. Light lunch. Heighten the experience-bring a favorite dessert to share. Just do it. Have fun, lots of laughs, and free exercise among like-minded and environmentally conscious spirits like yourself. Can we count on you? 518-875-6935.

L A N D I S

In a Nutshell

?The sweeping Schoharie Valley Countryside as never before.

? Internationally recognized collection of oaks of the Northeast

? New York State's Most Compete Collection of Native Trees and Shrubs

?One of only three arboreta in eastern North America with old-growth forests. Landis has TWO!

?Charter Participant in APGA's PlantCollections^TM: information-sharing with the world's premier public gardens

?Newly reclaimed historic Quarry Garden
? 8+ miles of hiking/walking trails.

?Perennial Arboretum 5K Cross County Forest Classic
? Year-round programs/events - for kids of all ages!
? Site of the beautiful Van Loveland Perennial Garden.

?Soon-to-be home of the universally accessible Wanderland Gardens

?Designated site on NYS Route 20 Bluebird Trail.

Open daily, dawn to dusk.

More? 518.875.6935, http://www.landisarboretum.org;

.info@landisarboretum.org

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Bring yourself --AND sensible shoes! Open daily, dawn to dusk. Free Parking.

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Free will donations of $5/person, $15/family helps to defray costs of upkeep and maintenance of the Arboretum's trails and collections

Posted Monday September 15, 2008 at 08:38 am by Landis Arboretum