New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx in Bronx County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mother Tree

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2025

1. Mother Tree Marker

Inscription. When NYBG's founders broke ground on the Library Building in 1898, this native tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) already loomed large over the landscape. Its stature inspired the selection of tulip trees to shade the rest of the drive. Today, the mother tree is among the oldest and largest trees at NYBG, standing more than 135 feet tall, with a trunk more than five feet in diameter.

Erected by New York Botanical Garden.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 40° 51.991′ N, 73° 52.775′ W. Marker is in Bronx, New York, in Bronx County. It is in New York Botanical Garden. It can be reached from Webster Avenue east of Bedford Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx NY 10467, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America

and the Western World.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: LuEsther T. Mertz Library Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Lillian Goldman Fountain of Life, 1905 (within shouting distance of this marker); Tulip Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); John J. Hoffee Tulip Tree Allée (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Solar Canopies (about 300 feet away); Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum (about 500 feet away); Flowering Cherries (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bronx.

Additional keywords. landscape architecture

The Mother Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2025

2. The Mother Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.