Landis Combines Tree Search with Knowledge, Fun

ESPERANCE — The Landis Arboretum completed its Big Tree Search, with Executive Director Fred Breglia saying that he’s been looking for large trees “pretty much all of my life.” 

Now that the immediate search is over, there’s still a chance to get involved, as well as the great success of the effort itself.

The search continues as “there are a lot more” large trees to be found— sometimes already discovered by individuals and sometimes still yet uncatalogued.

Breglia said that he’s been looking for the largest tree in the state for decades, and finally found it in Schaghticoke in the shape of a cottonwood tree. In this case, the falling seeds were so numerous that they had to be set aside with a leaf blower.

“That sort of story echoes a lot,” he said of the 11-foot diameter tree.

He added that the tree was so large that some believed it was not real, or not from New York State. Some even believed that the large tree was a redwood.

Breglia said that many of the largest, most historical trees have been cut down in the past several centuries.

The cottonwood tree survived because it isn’t suitable for lumber and the species is often called a “junk tree” even though it is positive for medicinal and erosion purposes.

He said that many of these trees are often in inhospitable areas and difficult to find.

Technology has aided in the project, including using Google Maps to find the location of larger trees.

Following the search last year, Breglia continued his mission to “connect plants to people.”

The effort also assists the mission statement of the arboretum. When combining interest in trees with the search, there is a unique chance to work with the public.

He cited a story of finding an enormous tree as a child, which helped to put him on the path of environmental science.

“Based on that model, a big tree helped me get interested in nature, to a degree,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what walk of life you’re from or ethnic background or even political party you are.”
Such an effort would increase the chance of supporting conversation.

Furthermore, there’s a competitive element to it, and he hopes that the effort will provide good outcomes for his children and humanity.”

The 2023 Big Tree Search attempted to outdo itself, including finding the largest non-native tree in the state, a willow in Schoharie County. A number of elements were used to determine the tree’s size and volume.

Some of the trees found will likely make the state registry compiled by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), including oaks and a box elder by Brian Kelley

Retired SUNY Cobleskill Professor Chris Cash found a "Tree of Heaven," an invasive species found in Schenectady County. Breglia said that the size was "phenomenal."

The species is often so rapidly growing and dominates nearby areas to such an extent it’s sometimes nicknamed the “Tree of Hell.”

Another northern catalpa tree was recently measured in Montgomery County and is currently the state champion.

Breglia said that he couldn’t believe there was one so large just ten minutes from his house.

The executive director said that finding such large trees was often very difficult and required complex tools, including LIDAR. He plans to use a canoe to help navigate to find even more.

“One of those feel-good stories that everyone seems to like,” he said.

The Arboretum welcomes all volunteers if you’d like to know more at fred@landisarboretum.org or join the Big Trees of New York and Big Tree Seeker Facebook groups. There is also a Big Tree Hunters Instagram group. There’s also the New York State Big Tree Register at https://www.dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/plants/big-tree-register.

Visit landisarboretum.org for more information or to get involved.