The bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a massive (up to 80ft x 80ft in the wild!) oak species predominantly found in the Northern and Southern Great Plains of the United States. The bur oak is a pioneer species: a species to first populate an area due to a recent disturbance in the ecosystem. In the case of the bur oak, they pioneer due to a lack of disturbance, that is, the lack of fire in a prairie ecosystem. As bur oak seedlings establish and grow to a fire tolerant size, they slowly move the ecosystem from grass prairie to oak savannah to a dense woodland.

Like many species of plants, the bur oak is less commonly found in the wild due to degradation of its natural habitat by agriculture and development; but it is an extremely tough tree, and one that we can use in numerous situations horticulturally. It has potential for both heat tolerance and cold tolerance, as evidenced by its natural range extending from Canada to Texas. It can be grown in a multitude of soil conditions-clay, loam, sand, and it tolerates alkaline soil as well. It’s a good choice for an urban tree because it can tolerate air pollution (although its size may be a deterrent!).

Those are just the environmental skills of the bur oak. Aesthetically, it is a beautiful shade tree with a few interesting features; an irregularly rounded habit and numerous branches that extend wide. A distinctive ridged, corky bark that feels spongy and flexible; this is the adaptation that protects established trees from prairie fires. The most iconic feature, and the one that inspired both the botanical Latin and common names for this tree, is the acorn. It is among the largest of acorns throughout the oak genus, with a comically large “hat” (cupule) complete with a shaggy fringe that makes the acorn resemble moss or burs (hence the common names of "bur oak" and "mossy-cup oak").

Oaks often display morphological differences within a described species, which could make ascribing stereotypical characteristics to them a bit restrictive. The growing location of any oak can greatly influence leaf shape, growth habit, and acorn appearance within the same species. This especially applies to the bur oak, which is known to display the most variable characteristics of all the oaks. There is an acceptable range of variability and sometimes oaks that cross that threshold may be hybrids, offspring of the natural or intentional crossing of two different parent species.

Since oaks are generally keen to hybridize on their own, they are a good candidate for horticultural experiments. Oak hybrids can be bred for desirable characteristics for certain situations. For example, oaks are one of the most important wildlife supporters, but they are too large for street plantings. So, we can look to these hybrids as solutions for our urban problems. Once such hybrid is the naturally occurring Q. macrocarpa x Q. gambelii, which results in an oak with the drought tolerance of the bur oak and the shorter stature of the Gambel oak. Interestingly, these two species do not have a present-day native range that overlaps; researchers suggest that they hybridized during an earlier time in which their habitats did overlap, the two parent species were subsequently separated and developed increasingly diverging characteristics, leaving the hybrid species to occupy the space in between.

Bayard Cutting Arboretum recently acquired over a hundred Quercus macrocarpa hybrid acorns, courtesy of the Red Butte Garden in Utah. These acorns are progeny from oak hybrids initiated by Dr. Walter Pace Cottam between 1965 and 1971 at the University of Utah. Dr. Cottam spent his retirement years experimenting with oak hybrids and ultimately produced over 40 successful hybrid species. The “Cottam Oaks” are not easily available in the horticultural trade, mainly due to the length of time it takes to evaluate trees on characteristics and the fact that the Cottam Oak hybrids display more variability among individuals than has been accepted commercially. Derek Gerson, an Arboretum horticulturist, is working on this propagation project. We have hope that these hybrids will help foster resilience within our collections and urban plantings at large.

We began our collection of oak hybrids two years ago with the introduction of the Heritage Oak (2021-0202), a bur oak and English oak cross. The bur/English oak hybrid was one of the first hybrids by Dr. Cottam in which he selected for a smaller habit and better drought tolerance. Thanks to the pioneering experiments of Dr. Cottom and a collaboration with the Red Butte Garden, we will soon have three more additional bur oak hybrids and numerous other oak hybrids to add to our collection. It’ll be years before we see these trees out in the landscape. For now, you can visit our current 40-year-old specimens (1975-A180, 1975-A181) and our younger trees (2020-0355, 2020-0354) which will give you a clearer idea of what the new hybrid acorns might become. The winter is a great time to get to know trees by their bark, so this is a perfect time to meet and admire this truly wonderful tree!

Jessica O'Callahan, Horticultural Coordinator

On February 26th, we hosted our 6th Annual “Evolution of the American Landscape” Horticultural Symposium. This year’s theme, Evergreen with Envy, explored the importance of conifers and broadleaf evergreens in our landscape.

The symposium topics focused on evergreen plant selection, increasing diversity, design, and regional challenges (pests and diseases). Our first speaker was Nelson Sterner, former Director of Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Nelson’s presentation highlighted important conifers in the Arboretum and shared the history behind the design, plant acquisition, and construction and planting of select gardens.

Next, Beth Brantley, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist and Research Scientist at Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, spoke on common and new evergreen pathogens (with a rock-n-roll twist) and shared recommendations for providing care to evergreens.

Our following speaker was Vincent A. Simeone, Director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Park. His presentation emphasized a wide variety of new and underutilized genera of broadleaf evergreens for our local environment.

In the afternoon, we had two speakers to wrap up the day. Craig Pine, Sales & Purchasing Manager at Half Hollow Nursery, discussed common conifer groups & varieties and spoke about newer introductions to arrive on the Long Island nursery market.

Lastly, Dan Gilrein, Extension Entomologist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, closed the Symposium with a presentation on common and new insects found on landscape conifers and broadleaf evergreens.

Our mission is to engage and educate our community. This year we again sold out of in-person tickets and reached a wider audience over Zoom. Both in-person and webinar attendees had the opportunity to learn and interact with our five speakers throughout the day. We are pleased to educate our patrons and share knowledge about conifers and broadleaf evergreens. With the help of the Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticultural Society and our Board of Trustees, our 6th Annual Horticultural Symposium was truly a success! We would like to thank all our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for a wonderful event.

The Gift Shop and Hidden Oak Café reopen on March 2, 2024.

Both will be closed for Easter Sunday on March 31, 2024.

Manor House Tours resume Saturday, March 2, 2024. Ground Tours continue to be offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:30AM. Call (631) 581-1002 for availability, costs, required registration, and more details.

All concerts begin at 1PM inside the Upper Carriage House. Free admission.

Due to ongoing construction, parking will be limited and on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the entirety of this concert series. Please arrive early and plan accordingly.

Upper Carriage House -- 1PM

Victoria Beckert has served as Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s Watercolor Instructor and Annex Art Exhibition Curator since 2014. Many visitors over the years have enjoyed participating in her watercolor workshops or browsing the various artworks in the Annex Art Gallery. This spring she will now be an acting consultant as Mireille Belajonas becomes the new Annex Art Exhibition Curator and Teresa Cromwell becomes the new Watercolor Instructor. Keep an eye open for upcoming watercolor workshops and gallery events which will be posted on our website.

Have fun with watercolors and go home with a finished picture ready to frame!

Fee: $50 per Student

Upcoming dates:

All materials are provided by the instructor. Feel free to bring your own paints and brushes to class. Registration, additional dates, and more information can be found on our website.

Dates: April 4 - April 28, 2024

Exhibit Hours: Thursdays – Sundays, 11AM – 4PM

Artist Reception: Sunday, April 7 from 1PM – 4PM

Artist Talk: Sunday, April 21 at 1PM

Location: Annex Art Gallery

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

Fee: $40 per person.

Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and warm clothing for walking outdoors. Register here!

We welcome you and your children to explore our program. Tours are available on Tuesdays at 9:30 am. 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.

Save the Date - June 15, 2024

Join us in celebrating the grand opening of the new Visitor Center. More information to follow in the future.