Fred Lape, working alongside George Landis, began planting trees at what would later become Landis Arboretum in the late 1940s, even before the Arboretum was formally established. Many of these early plantings have since matured into impressive and wellestablished specimens that distinguish the Arboretum today. Tree planting continued steadily through the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and into the early 1980s, despite the Arboretum’s often challenging site conditions. Some of these trees—such as the dawn redwood—are widely recognized by visitors, while others remain quieter treasures. What follows is a selection of notable trees that reflect this long history of dedication and experimentation.
■ Golden larch (Pseudolarix amabilis) is a distinctive member of the pine family that produces seedbearing cones each year. It is the sole species in its genus, making it botanically unique. Unlike most conifers, the golden larch is deciduous—it sheds its soft needles in autumn and produces fresh growth each spring. Its name comes from its striking golden yellow fall color, which glows vividly and makes the tree stand out dramatically in autumn landscapes.
■ Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is one of the most notable trees at Landis Arboretum, closely tied to its rediscovery in China in 1947. Seeds were brought to Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum and later propagated at Landis by Fred Lape. The oldest specimen at the Arboretum stands above the main parking lot and has grown to over 80 feet tall with a broad, 25 foot crown. This fast growing, deciduous conifer thrives in USDA zones 5–8, tolerates a wide range of soils, and prefers full sun. It has no significant pest or disease issues. Its soft, featherlike foliage turns a warm copper orange in autumn before dropping for winter, while older trees develop darker, more textured bark.
■ Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) is an ancient evergreen conifer now native only to Japan, though it once grew across much of Eurasia and North America. It grows slowly, reaching up to 60 feet tall and 15–20 feet wide. The species prefers moist, well drained soil, some protection from wind, and conditions free from drought, standing water, or pollution. Its unusual foliage—thick, glossy, needlelike leaves formed from two fused leaves—makes it especially distinctive. At Landis Arboretum, three specimens are present: the oldest planted by Fred Lape in 1951, one near the Fred Lape Memorial Stone planted in 1988, and another located behind the Library and Greenhouse complex.
■ Amur maackia (Maackia amurensis), a member of the pea family (Fabaceae), is prized at Landis Arboretum for its striking exfoliating bark, often described as copper green in color, which adds exceptional winter interest to the New York landscape. This small, uncommon tree is also valued for its fragrant white summer flowers and silvery green foliage. Visitors can find it along the Fred Lape Trail, where its bark and autumn coloration are especially noticeable.
■ Corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’) is easily recognized by its dramatically twisted branches and curled twigs. This deciduous tree provides yearround visual interest, with its sculptural, contorted form most striking during winter when the branches are bare, creating a bold and artistic presence in the landscape.
Landis Arboretum also maintains a complete oak collection that is part of the North American Plant Collection Consortium, a registered conservation effort through the American Public Gardens Association. This collection includes both native and nonnative species, such as Mongolian oak and distinctive English oaks.
Visitors who seek out many of these trees will find themselves walking primarily along the Fred Lape Trail. Along this route are several crabapple trees grown from seed collected from original parent plants of cultivars still common today, many originating in mountainous regions of Central Asia. The Arboretum’s Pinetum is another strong feature, showcasing a diverse collection of pines, spruces, and firs. Among the most notable is the Ernest Fir (Abies recurvata var. ernestii), planted by Fred Lape and now approaching 90 feet in height. Rocky Mountain fir (Abies lasiocarpa) and Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) have also matured into exceptional specimens within the Choice Conifer Collection.