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The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens was founded in 1910 on 39 acres in downtown Brooklyn. It is a beautiful escape from the modern bustle of the city environment. It features some of the best displays of urban gardening and horticulture. Some highlights include the herb and fragrance gardens, the beautiful lily pool terrace, the Japanese garden and the bonsai museum. The BBG has quite possibly the most prominent Metasequoia specialist in the world. Dr. Jinshaung Ma is a Research Taxonomist whose specialties include the Metasequoia and other Asiatic species. He also has a website with an excellent hostname, www.metasequoia.org. |
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Indeed, the trees grow impressively in this urban garden environment. There are a total of sixteen trees, eleven of which were originals received from the Arnold Arboretum. A total of nine were recorded, and all are in the range of 80 feet with bases ranging from 18 to 28 inches in diameter. I was notified that gauging height was difficult due to the presence of nearby fences, but recording tree heights is rarely an exact science. This institution is critical to the development of Metasequoia knowledge. However, possibly due to excess crowding, the Metasequoias at the BBG fared below average compared to other sites in the New Jersey area. Those at the New York Botanical Garden have grown slightly better, and those at Princeton University and the Morris Arboretum trump the Metas at this site. But all in all, it is a beautiful garden with important historical significance.Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1000 Washington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225 |
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