Meadow Lakes Living

The Trees of Meadow Lakes

The community of Meadow Lakes is built on a 103 acre parcel of land in both East Windsor Township and the Borough of Hightstown.  The property was bought in the 1960s and the original estate house still remains as the Meadow Lakes Guest House.  Many of the trees existing on the property today predate this house.  Rumor has it that at one time there were as many as four greenhouses in operation on this estate showing the owners’ love of horticulture.  In 2005, the property was designated as an arboretum, named in honor of Robert A. Winters, founder of Meadow Lakes.

Some of the most remarkable trees on the property are listed below.  Guests are welcome to visit the arboretum but are required to check in at the Concierge desk before touring. 

One of the largest trees on the property is a magnificent Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) located behind the Guest House.  This tree, native to this area, is tall and massive.  Its small, willow-like leaves make it a nice tree for use in lawns as they are not as messy as most others.  Willow Oaks have few insect and disease problems.  Many have asked how old the tree is.  This is obviously a very difficult question to answer.  There are many factors that influence how rapidly a tree will grow and how old it will become.  Estimates range from 150 to 250 years.  This may be one of the finest Willow Oaks in the world.  Some may be larger in girth or taller but few have such a symmetrical, full crown.  Another large Willow Oak is located between cottages 63 and 67.

Another striking tree is the Weeping European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) located between cottages 80 and 82. (See photo above.) This tree occupies more than ¼ acre and is a resident favorite.  Over the years, the tree has had some of its low hanging branches root into the ground causing new trunks to sprout from the ground.  This phenomenon is known as layering and is one way a tree with ancient DNA is able to prolong its life. 

Weeping European Beech in winter showing the multiple trunks.

You will notice when looking at the tree that these new trunks are much larger and more vigorous than the original branches from which they formed.  When the original structure of the tree begins to fail; these shoots will have a better chance at surviving.  It seems everyone has an opinion about this tree; some think this type of tree should never be pruned, others think the shoots should be removed, and unfortunately, some feel the tree would look better with some carving on its trunk.  Whatever the case; this tree has had a long history on this property and we hope it will be around for hundreds more years.

A fine American Elm (Ulmus americana) adorns the front of the Guest House.  These once popular trees, are now quite rare.  During the 1930s, Dutch Elm Disease was introduced to the US and quickly wiped out American Elm trees across the country.  Very few survived.  The Meadow Lakes Elm is one of those survivors.  Today, it has steel cables offering support to its upper branches.  We inject the tree with medicine to control the fungus and reduce the number of insects visiting the tree known to carry the fungus from other trees.  This tree has the classic, vase like shape that made American Elms popular.  It offers a cathedral ceiling type effect for those walking under it.  Because of its shape, the Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrulata) was introduced as an alternate to the American Elm, but lacks in size and grandeur.

 No discussion about the trees of Meadow Lakes would be complete without mentioning the very large Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) trees growing along the shores of Tear Drop Lake on the property. This tree, known for its ‘knees’ which protrude from the ground, is one of the few species able to survive in complete water inundation. Most recognize these trees from the cypress swamps in the American Southeast.                                                                                         

A deciduous conifer, the tree is rare because it bears cones, but does not hold its leaves through the winter.  These trees were planted in the perfect location to showcase their splendor.  Close relatives are the Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens) and Dawn Redwood (Metasequioa glyptostroboides) also found on the property.

 The Willow Oak in early spring.

  Photo by Cal Calcote

*Tree walks are held 3 to 4 times per year.  These short walks usually last about an hour and are an opportunity for residents and guests to tour different areas of the property to discuss the trees.  Please contact Joe Greipp for information regarding the next walk.

 Bald Cypress trees in autumn

                                             Photo by Cal Calcote

A beautiful Dwarf Hinoki Falsecypress (Chaemacyparis obtusa) can be seen in the area in front of the Guest House, closer to Etra Road. These trees are very slow growing and relatively pest free. Commonly seen as a small, specimen tree, this one has attained a great size.  It is an evergreen with dark green foliage and an attractive bark. 

Nearby is a very large Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum).  This tree is located right along the white fence and has attained a great height.  Over the years, large branches have broken out of it giving it a unique character.  This is really the southern edge of the Sugar Maples’ range and the past several, hot and dry summers have been very stressful on them. 

A Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus diocus) is located nearby, closer to Schanck’s Lake.  This is also a large specimen for the species.  The fruit on the Kentucky Coffeetree is reminiscent of coffee beans but does not bear the same flavor.  These trees can be male or female (most trees have both sexes on the same plant).  This particular tree is a male and does not bear the bean pods commonly seen on female trees of the same species. 

                                                                                           --Joe Greipp

The Willow Oak in winter 

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The Willow Oak in summer

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