Oaks: A Symbol of Wisdom and Strength

Many of the 80 different types of oaks growing at Cornell Botanic Gardens are found on this slope as part of the Schnee Oak Collection. Oaks (the genus Quercus) have 500 known species distributed widely across the Northern Hemisphere. With their large stature and long life, oaks have long been considered sacred and embody wisdom and strength in many cultures. Climate change, invasive species, and deforestation are threatening 30% of oak species worldwide. The genetic material from oaks growing in this arboretum is available for scientists who are developing more resilient varieties to stop the on-going loss of this much-revered tree.

Continue up this hill to explore the Oak Collection.

Learn more about our oak collection in this two-minute audio narrative.