Abundant Acorns?

Located at the entrance to the Four Season Garden, a unique swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) displays an abundance of acorns throughout its canopy. A peculiar display for this time of year, this specimen stands out from the rest, showcasing its persistent fruit and adding interest to the landscape.

APRIL FOOLS! What we are witnessing on this tree are not acorns at all, but galls. A gall is an abnormal growth caused by an insect, pathogen or other living entity foreign to the plant itself. This growth is a reaction constructed of plant tissue and induced by plant hormones. The galls seen on our swamp white oak are caused by tiny, harmless insects known as cynipid wasps. Members of the family Cynipidae these wasps cannot sting, and are the size of a common gnat.

The galls present this month are leftovers from last season and referred to as bullet galls due to their shape. Cynipid wasps that form bullet galls have two life cycles per year, and cause two types of galls. One gall forms on the new leaves in spring, and another on twigs in late summer. These growths are a response to wasp egg laying and are used by the tree to sequester wasp larvae within. This benefits the tree by keeping larvae at bay within the gall and preventing the wasp larvae from feeding on the rest of the tree. Galls contain enough food for wasps to develop and keeps larvae small in size.

Acorn (Sheffield's Seed)

Bullet gall (Photo: Adam Schnepp)

Bullet galls on our swamp white oak are harmless to the tree. They do not damage the vascular flow, or cause harmful wounds. In fact, many cynipid wasps are beneficial to the landscape and prey on harmful garden pests.

A native to the Eastern United States, swamp white oaks are superb as stand-alone specimens or in groupings. Like most oak species, swamp white oak provides many ecological benefits. Besides hosting cynipid wasps, this species is host to many caterpillars and the true acorns provide food for many birds and mammals. Swamp white oak gets its name from the wet habitats that it is found in. However, this species has a tolerance for drought and heat, making it an exceptional choice for a variety of landscapes.

Visit our Quercus bicolor at the entrance to the Four Season Garden to view the many galls present from last year (2012-0104). Keep an eye out on the emerging buds this month to catch a glimpse of the harmless and fantastic cynipid wasps as they begin their life cycle all over again.

Michael J. Voss, Staff Arborist

Level 4 Accrediation

To many of our visitors, the Arboretum is an “oasis of quiet and beauty.” It is often called a hidden gem, a peaceful respite, and even a home away from home. While the landscape inspires these feelings, much of what makes us so special is the ongoing work that may not always be fully seen or understood. From managing our collections to creating meaningful educational programs, thoughtful effort shapes every part of the landscape and visitor experience.

That work was recently recognized as we renewed our accreditation with ArbNet. We have maintained our Level 4 status, the highest level possible and one held by only 45 arboreta in the world. The process gave us a chance to reflect on just how much we have expanded since our initial accreditation in 2021. In the past 5 years, we’ve grown significantly to support our mission to increase plant diversity, collaborate with other institutions and educate our community.

At the heart of this growth is our living collection. As a museum of trees, we continue prioritize planting annually to ensure a sustainable, long living collection. In the past five years we added 10 new genera, 40 new species, and over 100 new cultivars. That is roughly 35 brand new introductions annually! These stats reflect the many different types of intentional plantings we introduce. These additions support plant hardiness trials, pest and disease resistance, conservation, climate adaptability, ecological protection, garden design and historic preservation. Using our mapping software, we have been able to share our tree collection data with institutions all over the world. Platforms like Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and Global Conservation Consortium for Oaks (GCCO) are just a couple of ways we have been able to collaborate and support scientific research.

Our growth is just as clear in our education programs. The renewal process highlighted how much this area has expanded. We now have a Visitor Center with exhibits conveying the many stories and messages our landscape provides. We have grown our team to include an education coordinator, a full-time educator, house curator, volunteer coordinator, and knowledgeable visitor center staff to offer more meaningful and accessible experiences for our visitors. Our summer internship program has grown more competitive with applicants applying for an educational experience that covers a huge range of experiences from arboriculture to organic farming.

It is especially rewarding to see this impact in person. Whether it is children playing in a mud kitchen at farm school or adults connecting with nature through colorful artwork, these moments bring our mission to life. Events like our upcoming Arbor Day celebration show how engaged and enthusiastic our community has become. This growth in programming continues to add value to what the arboretum represents. New programming and events are posted monthly on our website, social media and newsletters.

As spring arrives, we are entering our busiest season. The next few months will be filled with spring clean up, mulching, irrigation repairs, planting, transplanting, and plant health care. We have a full calendar of tours, programming and events. With so much happening, it is easy to get wrapped up in the day to day work. That is why renewing our accreditation with ArbNet is such a meaningful moment. It gives us the chance to pause and recognize how much we have accomplished and to appreciate the hard work that continues to shape the Arboretum every day. It is a reminder that the beauty so many visitors cherish is made possible by years of dedication, care, and purposeful work.

Joy Arden, Landscape Curator

Staff Photo of the Month

The paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) in the Four Season Garden

is displaying delicate, yellow blooms.

Adam Schnepp, Horticulturist

Upcoming Events

The Key to See: Intro to Tree ID

Learning the necessary skills to identify trees in the landscape can deepen your understanding and appreciation of the natural world. This class will include a lecture component tackling the key identification features of coniferous trees, followed by an outdoor walk where students can test their knowledge in the field using different methods to identify some major trees in the Arboretum’s landscape. This is an introductory class.

Saturday, April 4, 2026 | 10:00 AM- 12:30 PM

Registration Link

Arbor Day Celebration

All around the world people celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees, visiting local parks, and enjoying other tree related festivities.

What better way to commemorate the day than with a visit to Bayard Cutting Arboretum?

Date and Time:

Saturday, April 25 @ 10AM to 1PM

Activities

Activities are free of charge and family friendly.

Note: $8 Vehicle Parking Fee in effect, some exclusions apply.

2026 Annex Art Exhibit: Primavera

Primavera

Thursday, April 2 – Sunday, April 26, 2026

Artist Reception- Sunday, April 19, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

About the Exhibition

The Long Island Craft Guild is proud to announce Primavera, a juried exhibition of fine craft celebrating the spirit of spring. Across cultures and traditions, spring symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and transformation. Primavera captures the beauty and vitality of the season, exploring its deep connection to the natural environment through a diverse range of craft mediums. The exhibition features work in clay, fiber, glass, paper, wood, metal, and mixed media, highlighting the creativity and craftsmanship of contemporary artists.

BCAHS Plant Sale

Join us for the Annual Benefit Plant Sale at the Lower Carriage House on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 9 AM to 4 PM. We have perennials, annuals, natives, herbs, vegetables, and more!

https://www.bcahortsociety.org/

Forest Bathing Walk

Join certified forest therapy guide, Linda Lombardo of Wild Heart Nature Connection, on a walk 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 even create some nature art together.

Saturdays

Fee: $45 per person.

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

Farmingdale College Plant Sale

The 2026 Plant Sale will take place May 5 - May 7 (Tuesday through Thursday) from 9am to 5pm each day in parking lot 2 near University Police. The Sale will feature a broad selection of flowers, vegetables, herbs, tropical plants, succulents, perennials, and houseplants. Much of the plant material is grown at the College by students and staff. All fundraiser proceeds benefit Horticulture students and the Robert F. Ench Teaching Gardens.

https://www.farmingdale.edu/events/2026/2026-05-05-plant-sale.shtml