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Gardens trees Wave Hill 01

Notable Trees

Essential to the landscape

A constant backdrop to ever-changing garden plantings, trees frame our magnificent views of the Hudson River and Palisades. And they offer food and shelter for wildlife and welcome shade for our visitors.

Gardens trees Wave Hill 05

A prime example is the red oak (Quercus rubra), planted by nature sometime before 1850. It can be found spreading its mighty network of branches behind Glyndor Gallery.

Gardens trees Wave Hill 04

Our black cherry (Prunus serotina) dates back to the early to mid-19th century. Look for it on the lawn that rises up east of Wave Hill House.

Some of our trees may have been here before Wave Hill became a private estate in the 1840s.

Gardens trees Wave Hill 06
Gardens trees NN 09

Photo: Ngoc Mnh Ngo

Gardens trees Wave Hill 10
Gardens trees NN 07

Photo: Ngoc Mnh Ngo

American elm (Ulmus americana)

Found on the same lawn, but closer to the Kerlin Overlook, and shown in spring, summer, fall—seen from the Shade Border—and winter.

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Gardens trees Wave Hill 13
Gardens trees Wave Hill 11

Cutleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Atropurpureum')

More of Wave Hill's notable trees have established themselves as visitor and staff favorites by virtue of their character or aesthetic attributes. Among these are the cutleaf Japanese maple, which marks the southeast corner of the Flower Garden.

Tilia cordata close up

Small-leaved Linden

Summer has truly arrived at Wave Hill when the linden trees flower.

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Magnolia denudata close up

Yulan/Lily magnolia

Wave Hill’s grandest magnolia tree is the lily magnolia or yulan (Magnolia denudata).

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Taxodium dstichum the branches

Bald, or Swamp, Cypress

The bald cypress is a fine example of a deciduous conifer that puts on a colorful fall display.

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