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History of the Arboretum
The Mountain Top Arboretum was born in 1977 when Dr. and Mrs. E. H. Ahrens,
Jr., decided to share their love of plants by developing a portion of
their property into an Arboretum and donating it for use as a public resource.
The property was transferred to The Mountain Top Arboretum, Inc., which
was incorporated in 1977 and declared tax exempt in 1979. Its board has
administered the Arboretum ever since.
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Plantings of unusual and exotic trees and shrubs began in 1981.
Their precise locations within the carefully gridded landscaping
plan of the collection are pinpointed on computer, together with
records on the growth history and fate of every acquisition.
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The
Woodland Walk
| An additional 3.5 acre parcel has been developed alongside
the original Arboretum. This shaded woodland walk area, as a contrast,
features some indigenous plants of the Catskill Mountain forest, including
medicinal goldenseal and ginseng, maidenhair fern, hepatica, blue
cohosh, and more, as well as interesting non-native, shade-loving
exotics. The native growth of trees has been selectively cut as a
demonstration of good forest management. |
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The
East Meadow
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We have acquired eleven acres of meadow and woodland. This land,
the gift of a benefactor, is virtually contiguous with our Main
Meadow and Woodland Walk. All our facilities, including the new
land, abut Maude Adams road, the private-way that leads into our
buildings. The new land has prolific springs, providing running
stream water even in drought years, and will be of particular interest
for the teachers and children who are students in our Outdoor Awareness
Program.
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About
MTA 
Our Collection 
