The George Landis Arboretum is a public garden comprising hundreds of acres of which 40 are devoted to noteworthy collections and gardens overlooking the Schoharie Valley near Esperance, New York, United States. The physical address is 174 Lape Road. Forty acres of the Arboretum are developed with plantings of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials from around the world, including approximately 2,000 labeled specimens. The remainder of the property consists of natural areas, woodlands, wetlands, more than 8 miles of trails, and open fields. Among the Arboretum's horticultural features are a labeled collection of nearly all the trees, shrubs and vines native to New York State, as well as collections of notable trees, flowering ornamental trees and shrubs, tough trees for tough sites, conifers, and oaks. Two old growth forests and additional natural areas representing various stages of succession await visitors The Van Loveland Perennial Garden at the old farmhouse is a seasonal favorite. Collection signage includes QR codes directed toward audio descriptions.
Educational programs relating to the trees, other plants and animals, and the arts are provided during the months of March through November. The Arboretum is home to the unique Landis Perennial Forest 5K Walk/Run in later summer each year. The Arboretum is open free to the public (donations appreciated!), from dawn to dusk every day of the year. The Meeting House hosts wedding and meetings, as well as musical performances.
History
In 1903 Herman Franklin Lape purchased Oak Nose Farm, named for a white oak on a promontory overlooking the Schoharie Valley. He, his wife Emma (née Happe), and their son Frederick began the arduous life of farming on the 95 acres. They lived there until 1913, when the family moved to Esperance so that Fred could attend high school, first in Altamont, then in Cobleskill. In 1917, Fred continued his education at Cornell University. His mother and father moved back on the hill, but to the old Silvernail farm, located near Oak Nose Farm. After earning a degree in English, Fred taught first at Cornell, then at Stanford University in California.
In 1928, Herman Lape, now 62, became ill and could not continue farming. He and his wife moved back to Esperance for the remainder of Herman's days. Fred returned from California and moved onto the old farm, which had become decrepit. Having sold an article to Collier's, he decided to try to make a living as a writer. Although he wrote several articles and even a novel, sales were slow during the Depression. He worked the farm and did odd jobs, such as playing piano for area establishments. In 1932, he began a local poetry magazine, Trails, which featured his poetry as well as the work of many area writers, including W. W. Christman. Fred was interested in all artistic expression and encouraged visits from people involved in theater, music, sculpture, and other artistic endeavors.
Near the end of the 1930s, it became clear that more income was needed. In 1937, he became a part-time English professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. There he became good friends with George Edwin Landis, a professor of economics. In 1948, George purchased a house in Troy and wanted to landscape it with unusual trees and shrubs, so he asked Fred for assistance. Many plants selected were planted on Fred's farm as well as at George's home. In December 1950, George Landis died unexpectedly, leaving the bulk of his estate to Fred. Using this legacy, Fred decided to continue the vision of an arboretum, naming it for the "friend who had made it all possible both in life and in death." With help from taxonomists and botanists, Fred learned by his own successes and mistakes. His expertise grew until he became known world-wide, participating in seed exchanges with other arboreta and botanic gardens across the globe.