New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx in Bronx County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"Autumnal Tints"
Maples are a key element of the Northeast's legendary show of fall color.
In fall the Maple Collection is ablaze in the red, gold, and purple foliage that northeastern forests are celebrated for. Native American legends explained the awesome spectacle as the result of a bloody bear hunt in the sky. European settlers too were astonished by the unique splendor of fall color in the NortheastEuropean forests predominantly turned shades of yellow in autumn. When Hudson River School painter Jasper Francis Cropsey showed the painting at left in London in 1860, he displayed American leaf specimens alongside the painting to convince skeptical British viewers that such colors were possible.
Henry David Thoreau wrote lovingly of the brilliant mix of North American leaves in his 1862 essay, Autumnal Tints: "For beautiful variety no crop can be compared with this see in what showers they come floating down! The ground is all party-colored with them."
Erected by New York Botanical Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 40° 51.514′ N,
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Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. 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: The Genus Acer (within shouting distance of this marker); A Rose by Any Other Name (within shouting distance of this marker); A Walk on the Wild Side (within shouting distance of this marker); A Growing Threat to Native Maples (within shouting distance of this marker); Dolores DeFina Hope Tree Peony Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden (within shouting distance
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
