It’s finally peak foliage season on Long Island! Whether I am scouting the arboretum for pests and diseases, or just for beauty, I am always looking to appreciate something underappreciated. Some trees are known for glorious fall color (hello maples) but there are other trees not getting their fair share of the spotlight. So, I present to you, The Humble Hickory: a tree of great ecological value and untapped horticultural potential.

Hickories (Carya sp.) are large deciduous trees in the Juglandaceae family, making them relatives of the walnut. They have alternately arranged, pinnately compound leaves. Within the United States, they can be found in almost every state but are endemic to the eastern half of the country. They are found in a wide range of native habitats, both upland and bottomlands, and range in cold hardiness from zones 4-8.

There are several species of hickory that are adaptable to different climates, and within each species there are individuals or groups of trees that may be more drought or cold tolerant, making the hickory a very versatile choice for most landscapes. Aside from the obvious benefits of carbon sequestration and cooling effect of trees, hickories are beloved by many insects (such as the Luna Moth and Regal Moth) and animals (such as black bears, foxes, and many birds). For humans, the most grown and known species of hickory is Carya illinoensis, the pecan! In addition to an important food crop, hickories provide us with sturdy building wood and delicious smoked barbeque.

Ornamentally, hickories are in their prime during the fall season. The leaves turn a bright golden yellow, but each species is slightly different affording the genus a range of yellow and orange colors. I say the hickory is humble because it subtly adds an unsung warmth and depth of color to the autumn vignette. The Pignut hickories (Carya glabra) along the Riverwalk exemplify the species' contribution to the palette. Stunning fall color aside, hickories are also prized for the diversity in interesting bark. The Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is perhaps the most iconic. It’s easily identified by long, thin, grey plates of bark that peel away from the trunk, fashioning a shaggy appearance and inspiring its’ common name.

Hickories have largely been excluded from the nursery trade due to some difficulties and inconsistencies with propagation. It takes several years to grow to a decent size, and there is significant variability in gene expression between seeds. Although grafting practices have been used for agricultural production of pecans, the high rate of graft incompatibility ruins the ornamental value of hickory bark.

Claims of transplanting difficulty have also contributed to the lack of hickories circulating within the horticultural trade. Anecdotally, we transplanted a large Shagbark Hickory two years ago near the CSA Farm, and it is thriving (2021-0086)! This is our most prominent and only hickory specimen, most of the arboretum’s hickories are found in natural woody borders and along the Riverwalk. We chose its location because it was a large, open area, where leaf litter and falling hickory nuts will not be a concern. In such a wide-open space, this specimen will grow into a fantastic shade tree while also providing habitat and food for our wildlife. You may notice that this tree does not exhibit the exfoliating bark the species is known for-the bark remains smooth on young trees, and it will be a few more decades before this tree grows into its name. Despite the difficulties of producing this tree in the standard nursery setting, I think the ornamental aspects and the potential for climate adaptability warrant a deeper look into hickories for use in our managed landscapes.

-Jessica O'Callahan, Horticulture Coordinator

Amongst the Old Pinetum, unique conifer specimens adorn the historical landscape. We have recently added an attractive, yet pragmatic selection of ground cover under a stand of layering false cypress trees. This area borders the NWS Conifer Garden. It is often referred to as the Chamaecyparis Cathedral.

The existing plant material was a haphazard array of English ivy and other undesirable weeds. A small patch of existing hay scented ferns brought inspiration to this space. They danced in the wind and highlighted the overstory creating a more natural aesthetic to the existing conifers. They are tolerant of the deep shade in this space and draw the eye from one embellished tree trunk to another. My original idea was to replicate this aesthetic throughout the grove of trees. This idea evolved into the final project - to create a fernery. Ferns were a perfect way to develop the understory since their color and stature would not diminish the emphasis of the pinetum. Yet, they compliment and provide a sustainable alternative to barren soil and ivy.

The Arboretum sourced unique and uncommon ferns from Iseli Nursery located in Oregon. These introductions turned this planting into a true collection. The ferns are arranged by provenance, where they occur outside of cultivation and are delineated by drift filler ferns such as the hay scented fern. Despite the common fern frond that you may be familiar with, the fernery displays a great diversity in pattern, texture, and color. As a horticulturist it is an exciting experience to implement a new collection into an existing landscape.

– Timothy Langone, 2023 Intern

Congratulations to our staff member, Heather Coste, for placing in two categories! The American Conifer Society is a great resource and partner to the Arboretum. We are pleased to see Heather's photos displayed in their upcoming 2024 calendar.

Due to Daylight Saving Time, starting on Sunday Nov 5th we will be closing the Arboretum at 4:00 pm.

Holiday tours are available. Please call for information 631-581-1002.

New merchandise and special items are always arriving! Located at the upper annex in the Manor House.

Hours are 11:00 am – 4:00pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays

Holiday Centerpieces with Irene Conte-Morgan

Saturday, November 4th 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Forest Bathing and Sound Healing at Bayard Cutting Arboretum! Join certified forest therapy guide, Linda Lombardo of Wild Heart Nature Connection, and Phoenix Green, sound healer, on a walk at Bayard Cutting Arboretum to reconnect with the natural world around us. We’ll slow down, wander and notice what most of the world simply walks past; the beauty of nature in any season. We’ll do some grounding, connect with the trees and water, and end with a healing sound bath to harmonize your experience with Nature. These walks are always slow and easy-going, not a hike; not a tour of plants or collections.

Info and Registration Here: https://www.forestbathingfinder.com/product/bayard-cutting-arboretum-21/

Join certified forest therapy guide, Linda Lombardo of Wild Heart Nature Connection, on a walk to reconnect with the natural world around us.

Walk length: 120 minutes; please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and warm clothing for walking outdoors.

Fee: $40 per person.

Splashes of Color is a watercolors exhibit featuring work from local artists Diana Aliberti, Victoria Beckert, and Teresa Cromwell. The exhibit is set to start Thursday, November 2 and will run until Sunday, November 19 in the Manor House Annex Galleries. An artist reception will be held on Sunday, November 4 from 1 PM – 4 PM where you can come and meet the artists.

We welcome you and your children to explore our program. Tours are available on Tuesdays at 9:30 am starting June 13, 2023. Reservations are required and payment must be made in advance. For more information, please contact Carolann Gaites, Volunteer Coordinator, at 631-581-1002, ext. 105.

Call Main Office for more information. 631-581-1002