Field trips are one of the most important activities of the Society and participation is the best way to increase one’s knowledge of local plants. Most of the trips are for general study and monitoring of the flora and ecology of an area. Other trips are led by individuals who specialize in certain groups of plants and their trips are planned accordingly. While most trips emphasize plant study, other aspects of natural history and cultural heritage are not neglected. Trip participants are always free to ask questions about anything of interest they see. The leader or other members of the group can often supply an answer.
The location may be any place of botanic interest which is usually within 50 miles of New York City. We are not a hiking club and walking distances are usually not great. Those who come on the field trips are urged to participate in the Society’s other activities as well. Trips generally go rain or shine; if in doubt, check the website or contact the leader. Some trips are reachable only by automobile. Those in need of rides and those who are offering rides should post and check for messages on Torrey Botanical Society’s Facebook and Twitter sites or contact the trip leader. Those who use public transportation are advised to check updated schedules in advance. Interested guests and non-members are always welcome on field trips.
Upcoming Field Trips
Conifers of Green-Wood Cemetery – Brooklyn
Saturday, January 25 from 10 AM – 1 PM
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conifers-of-green-wood-cemetery-tickets-1155054682649
Description: Green-Wood Cemetery is renowned not only as a burial ground but also as a world-class arboretum, home to over 800 species and cultivars represented by nearly 8,000 trees. Situated on the terminal moraine and isolated from surrounding development, Green-Wood provides a unique habitat for many tree species.
Among these are an assortment of conifer species, many of which are evergreen and stand out among the winter landscape. Join us for a walk through Green-Wood as we focus on the diversity of conifers, comparing tree habit, needle and cone morphology, and the unique features of different species. (dawn redwood). We’ll also explore the ecological roles these trees play in the cemetery and in their native habitats. Our route will include multiple types of evergreen pines (Pinus spp.), cedars (Cedrus spp.), and spruces (Picea spp.), and some more unusual species like Sciadopitys verticillata (Japanese umbrella pine) and Cephalotaxus harringtonii (Japanese plum yew). We’ll also see a number of deciduous species: Larix japonica (Japanese larch), Taxodium distichum (bald cypress), and Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood).
Dress warmly, and be prepared for some hilly terrain. A hand lens is recommended – we will have extra lenses available to borrow.
Meeting Location: Inside the Gothic gate at the Cemetery’s main entrance, at the intersection of 5th Avenue & 25th St., Brooklyn, NY.
Public transit directions: take the R train to 25th Street, thenwalk one block East on 25th St (Brooklyn).
Trip Leader: Lydia Paradiso
Check back soon for more details on upcoming field trips, or become a member to receive updates via email!
Field trip leaders are asked to complete and submit a field trip reporting form which includes vegetation lists and notes on any new or unusual plants or vegetation types to the Field Chair, Simon Verlynde. These trip reports, when submitted, will be made available as a year end field trip summary publication.
Please click on the link to access the field trip reporting form:
TBS Field Trip Instructions
Past Field Season Reviews: TBS 2016 Field Review & TBS 2017 Field Review