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Click here to take a short survey. We really want to know what you think! From the Directors Desk: The Latest on New York State’s Top Six Insect Threats - Fred Breglia, Executive Director
With winter’s cold wind and plummeting temperatures, some days are best spent sitting inside learning the latest about New York State’s invasive insects. The top six threats are the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, Gypsy Moth, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Sirex Woodwasp, and Viburnum Leaf Beetle. Though the Viburnum Leaf Beetle and Gypsy Moth are found at Landis, thankfully none of the other invasives have been discovered. That being said, several have been found in neighboring counties and we are monitoring the collections, gardens, and grounds for signs of infestation. [Read more] |
From the Garden: Bringing the Outdoors In
- Erin Breglia, Landis Gardener Manager Forcing bulbs indoors can be a great way to bring the colors and fragrance of spring into the home during the cold dark days of winter. A fun project to tackle with children or friends, a few bulbs in bloom also make a great gift for any flower lover. Tulips, hyacinths, crocuses, and daffodils are excellent options. [Read more] In the Winter Sky
- Alan French, for the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers Winter can be a challenging time to enjoy the night sky, but bundle up and let the cold, clear winter nights entice you outside. The most obvious difference between the skies of winter and summer is the winter predominance of bright stars, many in very distinctive, eye-catching patterns. [Read more] An Awareness, an Avowal
- and an Appeal - Lee Lattimer, Landis Historian Just this past summer, I visited three historic landmarks in Newport, RI, all former “summer cottages” of the 19th Century elite. The last home I toured was “The Elms,” completed in 1901 for Mr. Edward Berwind, who had made his fortune in coal. When his wife died in 1922, Edward’s sister Julia came to live there and inherited the house upon his death. When she died in 1961, the contents were auctioned off, and the house was sold to a developer who planned to raze the house and replace it with a parking lot. Fortunately, just weeks before demolition, “The Elms” was purchased by the Preservation Society of Newport County. [Read more] Spotlight on Allies: New York State Bluebird Society
- Gail Browning The NYS Bluebird Society began in 1982, according to Director Jennifer Murtaugh, a SUNY Cobleskill graduate. The State division partners with the North American Bluebird Society and is dedicated to increasing the population of the Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis). County coordinators and volunteers compile statistics by erecting and monitoring nesting boxes in New York State. One example of their dedication is the New York State Bluebird Trail with boxes established all along Route 20 and including the Landis Arboretum. Through their efforts, the bluebird population has increased by 70% from 1985 to 2005. [Read more] |
New Year’s Resolutions
- Wilma Jozwiak The New Year is here, and with it comes a tradition of making resolutions. If you’ve been at Landis this year, you’ve noticed the outcomes of some of the Arboretum’s resolutions for 2015: driveways and parking lots have been improved, new gates have been installed, and ponds have been dredged to remove invasive plants. [Read more] LANDIS PORTRAITS: A SERIES ABOUT THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PLANTS AT THE ARBORETUM - Nolan Marciniec
From her home in rural Montgomery County, Florence Grimm could see the Great Oak at the Arboretum. Although the oak is mostly gone now, the Arboretum is still never far from Florence’s mind. [Read more] Landis in 2025: The “Futuring” Project - Ambika Sanbasivan, “Futuring” Moderator “The Landis Arboretum is a valuable cultural and scientific resource that could, with appropriate investment and wise planning, grow in size, scope, and community impact.” - Strategic Master Plan, 2004. This statement, made by the then Arboretum Planning Committee, still holds true over a decade later. This thoughtfully-crafted Master Plan has guided the Arboretum’s various committees and staff over the years by providing a comprehensive blueprint for development. [Read more] Celebrate the End of the Gardening Season: White Bean, Butternut Squash, and Kale Stew
- Nolan Marciniec It’s that time of year when gardeners can relax – and dream about next year’s garden. Most will have many of the ingredients for this vegetarian stew from their own gardens, but they can also get them at the local farmer’s market or supermarket and no one will be the wiser. This vegetable stew might seem like a lot of work, but it’s mostly chopping: mindless, rhythmic, and comforting. The colors of the dish will brighten these early winter days as you and your guests linger at the table. [Read more] |
Birds to Look For at Landis
- Photos by Louis Suarato Enjoy a little preview of the birds you may see when you visit Landis this winter. |
Video Focuses on Thacher Park
- Mark King: Executive Director, Mohawk-Hudson Land Conservancy Where can you enjoy world class views, observe unique wildflowers, and walk underneath a spectacular waterfall - right in the Capital Region? The answer, of course, is John Boyd Thacher State Park. We sometimes overlook the natural treasures we have locally: the Landis Arboretum and Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy preserves are just two examples. Thacher Park is yet another. [Read more] |
Don't Know When to Quit: The American Beech - Anita Sanchez
American Beech, Fagus grandifolia, is a magnificent tree, silvery-barked and elegant. The leaves are sharp-pointed ovals with scalloped edges—pale green in spring, emerald in summer, golden in autumn.
But in winter, beech leaves reveal an odd personality trait: they’re stubborn. Long after most other deciduous trees have shed their colorful foliage, beech leaves keep hanging onto the branch.
They lose their autumn color, turn brown, shrivel up - but stick stubbornly to the twig, week after week, month after month. They just don’t know when it’s time to quit. [Read more] |
Almost Time for Second Sunday Snowshoe!
If you have joined us for Second Sunday Snowshoe, you will be looking forward to the new season; if you have not participated, what are you waiting for? If there is no snow, the event leaders will take participants on a winter hike and everyone always ends up back at the Farm House for hot cocoa and good conversation. Second Sunday Snowshoe dates this year are January 10, February 14, and March 13. Members: $5 or member family $15; Non-members: $15, non-member family $25. Call 518-875-6935 or email [email protected] for more information or to register.
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Landis Through the Seasons
You may not have an opportunity to visit Landis as much as you would like, so we have put together a slideshow from the pictures posted to our Facebook page. We hope this whets your appetite to visit, but if you can't be here, you can at least feast on this small sampling of what makes Landis special.
You may not have an opportunity to visit Landis as much as you would like, so we have put together a slideshow from the pictures posted to our Facebook page. We hope this whets your appetite to visit, but if you can't be here, you can at least feast on this small sampling of what makes Landis special.
THE LANDIS ARBORETUM NEWSLETTER is published quarterly for its members.
The Arboretum’s mission is to foster the appreciation of trees and other plants and their importance in our environment. EDITORIAL BOARD Erin Breglia, Gail Browning, Anne Cushing; Wilma Jozwiak; Lee Lattimer; Nolan Marciniec, chair; Louise Polli; Ambika Sambasivan; Louis Suarato, photojournalist CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Erin Breglia, Fred Breglia, Gail Browning, Alan French, Wilma Jozwiak, Mark King, Lee Lattimer, Nolan Marciniec, Ambika Sambasivan, Anita Sanchez, Louis Suarato PRINTER Miller Printing and Litho, Amsterdam, NY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jim Paley, President; Wilma Jozwiak, Vice President; Nolan Marciniec, Secretary; Carolyn Edwards, Treasurer; Louise Polli, At Large; Ann Bevins; Karl Gustafson; Mark Hay; Jeanne Post-Sourmail; Ed Radle; Earl VanWormer ARBORETUM STAFF Fred Breglia, Executive Director; Nancy Stuebner, Office Manager; Erin Breglia, Garden Manager; Corey Haynes & Eric Roberts, Groundskeepers We value your input. Please address correspondence to: Newsletter Editor, Landis Arboretum, P.O. Box 186, Esperance, NY 12066. Phone: 518-875-6935, Fax: 518-875-6394, Email: [email protected] Website: www.LandisArboretum.org The Arboretum is located at 174 Lape Road, Esperance, NY. It is one and one-half miles north of Route 20 in Esperance. Follow the signs from the village to Lape Road. The Arboretum is one-quarter mile straight ahead. Visit our website for more information and directions. |
Our Business Members, Sponsors, and Allies
We have good friends in the community that help the Arboretum in a number of ways. Please consider patronizing our Business Members, Sponsors, and Allies! |