Chionanthus virginicus,

Michael Dirr, Ph.D, a prominent horticulturist and expert on woody plants, proclaimed this of the white fringetree: “I would like to make a case for this as the national shrub for even dogwood does not carry itself with such refinement, dignity and class when in flower.” Apologies to all the dogwood lovers out there, but Chionanthus virginicus is completely underappreciated! Plant this tree not only for its beauty, but its wildlife value as well. The fruits feed birds during the fall and the tree is a larval host to a native moth, the Rustic Sphinx.

Just last week we increased our Chionanthus collection from 2 specimens to 17! We added 15 trees into the Friendship Garden, which is under renovation. With the help of the NYS Parks Environmental Stewardship Program and Martha Weller, Consulting Designer, we have been working on removing invasive species and are now beginning to reintroduce native wetland plants. The Chionanthus planting was inspired by our largest and oldest specimen which lies on the border of the Friendship Garden and the Great Lawn (U-1531). Take a walk through the garden to see how we’ve laid out these new trees and if you continue to visit you will be able to see this garden change drastically within the next couple of years!

-Jessica O'Callahan, Horticulture Coordinator

Happy Autumn! With the cooler weather and weeds dying down, we are switching gears to planting trees. Our main planting season is during the spring, but fall is a great opportunity tie up the year’s projects. Projects needed to be finished in the Woodland Garden, Friendship Garden, Royce Rhododendron Garden, Windbreak and Four Season Garden. We received 35 trees by tractor trailer coming from Foxborough Nursery in Maryland! It is always so exciting to welcome new trees to the arboretum.

We unloaded 35 trees off the tractor trailer in just two hours before the arboretum opens. About half the order consisted of fringe trees, Chionanthus virginicus. We planted 15 fringe trees in the Friendship Garden where we are cultivating a native plant oasis (2022-0236). Next we planted 3 red maples, Acer rubrum ‘Redpointe’ (2022-0235), to the Woodland Garden to add some height and canopy for the future. We also added more winter hazel, Corylopsis pauciflora (2022-0234), to an existing planting. In the Royce Rhododendron Garden we planted two trees to replace dead trees that were removed in the spring. The forth project was to add trees to our windbreak along Montauk Hwy. Six new California incense cedars, Calocedrus decurrens (2022-0254), at 10-12’ tall has added an instant screen to our windbreak. My favorite tree we planted is a Bosnian Pine, Pinus leucodermis ‘Emerald Arrow’ (2022-0257). This was planted towards the back of the Four Season Garden to replace a dead tree. It has beautiful texture and a more narrow form which will be a wonderful backdrop to the garden.

It feels great to finish up projects before freezing temperatures come. We have about a month to water the trees in and set them up for success for the upcoming year. We are finished with tree planting for the year but we will be planting more native perennials in the Friendship Garden in October. The change of seasons is a great part of our work at the arboretum. Nature reminds us that things are always changing and giving us something to look forward to.

-Joy Arden, Landscape Curator

An amazing look at a hungry Differential Grasshopper enjoying lunch on the farm!

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Upper Carriage House at 6:30 pm

Planting Fields Foundation is proud to partner with The Cultural Landscape Foundation to bring you a weekend of exceptional Olmsted experiences. This partnership brings the opportunity to participate in free private tours. Tour sites include public parks and preserves, as well as unprecedented access to privately owned Olmsted-designed sites including cemeteries, waterfront estates, and other sites that are not usually accessible to the public. During these visits, site experts will give in-depth tours of each location.

October 22-23, 2022

Inspired by Nature: an exhibit presented by the Craft Guild

The show will run from Thursday, October 6, to Sunday, October 30, 2022.

Opening Reception: Sunday, October 16, 2022

Cost per person: $40

For more info and to sign up: website

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

The best way to see all that BCA has to offer is to take a “Grounds Tour” that is guided by a friendly and knowledgeable docent. We are offering free tours every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 am. We offer private grounds tours at $10 per person with a minimum of 10 on the tour. We hope to see you and your friends soon!

House tours are held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Attic tours are held at 2:30 pm and continue on Fridays and Saturdays. Call (631) 581-1002 to register for a tour!

Workshops: watercolor, acrylic, fiber

For more info and to sign up: website

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum offers an array of art workshops in the mediums of painting, sculpture, metal-sculpting, mosaics, and more! Learn from our group of local, working professionals and jump-start your journey into art today.

The gift shop will be open on Thursday - Sunday from 11am-4pm. Stop by at the Manor House to visit the gift shop!