The Landis Arboretum is a nonprofit organization supporting a public garden overlooking historic Schoharie Valley near Esperance, New York stretching into Schoharie and Montgomery Counties. Arboretum founder Fred Lape began developing the Arboretum in the 1950s on Oak Nose Farm, his family homestead. With the support of a bequest from friend and colleague George Landis, Fred strove to grow every species of woody plant from temperate regions around the world that would survive in the hills of Schoharie County. A seasonal favorite of our visitors is the Van Loveland Perennial Garden at the old Farmhouse. The remainder of the property consists of natural areas, woodlands, open fields, wetlands, and more than 14 miles of trails. Horticultural features include 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, conifers and oaks, and "tough trees for tough sites." Two old growth forests and additional natural areas representing various stages of succession can be found at the Arboretum. Landis has recently been inducted in the Old Growth Forest Network. Interpretive signage, including QR codes and plaques, aids visitors in their enjoyment and understanding of the collections and ecosystems of the Arboretum. Come for the day or a few hours. Landis is home to some interesting sculpture, like our resident dinosaur lurking near the pond behind the barn. Be sure to check out the two "photo op" stations at the back of the barn, where you can don the antlers of a mighty stag or the wings of a Monarch butterfly. And now we are pleased to invite you to visit a new feature of the Arboretum that can only bring more tranquility into your life: the Shanti Vun Meditation Garden, anchored by a welcoming pavilion, a lovely pond, and the soothing sounds of our waterfall. This beautiful garden is framed by a forest of young birch trees and a nearby labyrinth. With picnic tables to enjoy your lunch or just a quiet moment of reflection, the Meditation Garden is the perfect place to begin or end your visit to Landis. Since its inception in 1951 by the visionary Fred Lape, the Landis Arboretum has been a premier "Garden of Trees and Shrubs" in New York's Capital Region. A valuable cultural and educational resource, Landis grows each year in scope and community impact.
