History – blog

Ginkgo biloba: A Living Fossil

Jessica Schuler — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:36:15 +0000

According to Charles Darwin, a living fossil describes a species that have managed to remain physically identical over the millennia and are still alive today. A great example of a living fossil is one that puts on a beautiful display of vibrant yellow autumn color, the Ginkgo biloba tree. A leaf of this tree which is commonly known as a ginkgo or maidenhair was found in China in a fossil that dates back to 270 million years ago during the middle Jurassic epoch. A true living fossil that exists in so many of our landscapes today.

The fact that it has survived all these millennia is a testament to its resiliency. Its’ survival included several glacial events as well as mass extinctions. The ginkgo tree is often planted in urban areas because it tolerates a variety of growing conditions. It is pollution and salt tolerant as well as disease and insect resistant. Although not a native tree, it is not listed in any state or national invasive species list.

The ginkgo produces easily recognizable but unusual fan shaped, medium-green leaves in spring. It is in autumn, however, when the leaves turn a vivid yellow that it makes its’ presence known. The ginkgo will usually hold the beautiful fall color until mid-November when a hard frost occurs. Amazingly, this occurrence causes most, if not all, of the leaves to fall from the tree at the same time. The beauty of all of the fallen bright yellow leaves prolongs the colorful show.

The Old Greenhouse

Madeline Byrne — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 19:39:14 +0000

Recently Lasdon Park had visitors to view our behind-the-scenes greenhouses. These two greenhouses are used for winter storage of tropical plants and seed and plug growing. Imagine our surprise when one said we had a Lord and Burnham greenhouse! Who were Lord and Burnham?

The Lord and Burnham company was founded in 1850 and became one of the most important greenhouse manufacturers in America. Many large conservatories, both public and private, built between the 1920’s and the 1960’s were Lord and Burnham models. The New York Botanical Garden’s Haupt Conservatory and US Botanical Gardens were designed by them. Their company was based in Irvington, New York, to be closer to the great estates along the Hudson River.

Originally made from cypress wood, iron, steel and float glass, they were later constructed with aluminum frames and tempered glass.

A visit to the archives held at The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, New York gave us confirmation that we indeed had a Lord and Burnham greenhouse. The librarian produced the proposed greenhouse plans drawn for William Lasdon on Amawalk Road dated May 1, 1959. The structure matched our greenhouse perfectly including the workspace currently known as the headhouse.

Chestnuts at Lasdon

Madeline Byrne — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 10:56:32 +0000

Did you know that there has been ongoing scientific research at Lasdon Park and Arboretum since 1993? Take a walk on the grounds near the Chinese Pavilion parking lot. Fenced in are acres of the American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata). In April 1993 the park agreed to be an official chestnut research area by planting and maintaining 200 chestnut trees.

Before the Europeans came to America, the native peoples were eating chestnuts for protein and fat. The colonists used the trees for furniture. This majestic tree was native from Maine to Georgia. It was an important commercial tree because of its rot-resistant lumber, the number of edible nuts produced and its ability to repopulate clear-cut areas quickly.

In early 1900’s, a fungal blight killed almost all the chestnut trees in their native range. By 1950 99% of all chestnut trees were reduced to stumps. It is believed that the fungus was transported into America on Oriental chestnut trees (Castanea mollissima). These trees are naturally immune to the fungus, but it was lethal to our native chestnuts. The infested trees develop cankers on the stems and branches. This fungus was first discovered in the Bronx Zoo in New York City.

Here at Lasdon we maintain these chestnut trees. Researchers come and collect fruit for seeds and continue to plant more chestnut trees. It is hoped that mixing some of the genetic material of the fungus-immune Asian chestnut trees with the American chestnut tree genetic material that we may once again have this majestic tree in our towns.

Ecotherapy

Madeline Byrne — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 21:30:35 +0000

By Bruce Rosenberg

Ecotherapy or nature therapy is a basic concept which is to increase physiological relaxation and act as a preventative medicine by improving the body’s natural resistance to disease, which is suppressed under conditions of stress. Ecotherapy origins began in Japan when workers during the bubble economy (1980) were dying in their prime. The government took notice of this and used scientists and medical professionals to find a solution to this problem. Thus began by Japanese forest medicine researchers the study of these workers who were asked to spend time in the forest surrounding Tokyo. These walks in the forest were known as shrin-yoku or “forest bathing”. It was found that by visiting and spending time in the forests, people’s physical health improved including a decrease in both blood pressure and pulse rate. Also noted was a decrease in the concentration of cortisol which produces adrenalin, the fight-or-flight response hormone. Questioning those people who spent time in the forest revealed that the majority felt an increased feeling of comfort, calm, being refreshed, and a reduction of anxiety and an improvement in their emotional state.

Studies have shown that outdoor activities like gardening, hiking, birdwatching enhance the nature-human connection and acts as a catalyst to happiness. Using our sensory input of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste during a walk in nature brings peace to us. As John Muir once said “Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.” Since humans evolved in nature it is where we feel more comfortable. Erich Fromm termed this “Biophilia” or “the passionate love of life and all that is alive.” Sir David Attenborough once said, “We must cherish the natural world because we’re a part of it and we depend on it.”

Walking around Lasdon Park one can become immersed in nature and enjoy its beauty and peacefulness. Turn off your cell phone and let nature calm your body and mind. As Frank Lloyd Wright said, “Study Nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”