Copper Worth More Than Gold

This month I want to highlight one of our unsung specimens - Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’, Purple or Copper Beech. It is a cultivated form of the rare but naturally occurring purple leafed variants originally found in Europe in the 1770s. Since then, the purple beech has given way to numerous cultivars that play with habit or leaf color, like Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula’, a weeping form, or Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’, which has an even deeper purple color. Our specimen in Oak Park (U-A233) is stunning-being nestled among historic oaks makes it easily looked over, but it is a destination beech that deserves dedicated appreciation. 

Unfortunately, purple beeches are also susceptible to Beech Leaf Disease, which has been ravaging native and ornamental beeches alike. It is even harder to discover the characteristic banding that this disease causes due to the darker leaf color.

Since the arrival of Beech Leaf Disease, we have organized a yearly scouting project for our intern cohort. This project helps us monitor the spread of the disease and the condition of several beeches, while exposing budding horticulturists to plant health care, scouting practices, GIS mapping, and tree identification. We use this data to inform our decisions on which trees to keep for treatment and which trees must be let go. We have been lending our beeches to partners in the horticultural and arboricultural industry to find a way to save these magnificent trees.

The leaf banding symptoms of BLD.

Over the past few years, we have worked with Bartlett Tree Experts as they experiment with possible treatments and spearhead the care of our historic beeches. This year we have used a foliar spray on anything small enough to reach and have begun the process of using injections to protect larger beeches such as the Great Weeping Beech on the lawn. Bartlett Tree Experts has generously agreed to sponsor the continued health care for this historic tree. We are grateful to have such dedicated partners who are helping to preserve the heritage trees of Bayard Cutting Arboretum.

Jessica O'Callahan, Grounds Supervisor

The process of injecting beech leaf disease treatments.

Planting our Coastal Landscape

Bayard Cutting Arboretum has over a mile and a half of coastline where visitors can observe the beauty of the Connetquot River and freshwater ponds. Our various types of landscapes make our historical site unique and ever changing. As horticulturalists, we often encounter challenging conditions in the landscape. A challenge we’ve been facing consistently over the past decade or so is managing areas prone to flooding and rising tides. As a historical landscape, we have the complex task of honoring Fredrick Law Olmsted’s vision and the Cutting family mission while addressing modern climate issues. With the right plant choices, we can not only address these issues effectively but also enhance biodiversity and our landscapes. 

Since 2023, we’ve encouraged three-square bulrush (Schoenoplectus pungens) to grow along parts of the River Walk along the bulkhead. This is a native sedge often found in wetlands and along the edges of lakes and rivers, where it thrives in brackish waters and marshy conditions. It is a low maintenance plant that provides both ecological functions and aesthetic appeal in our landscape. Three-square bulrush helps stabilize shorelines and create habitats for wildlife. Additionally, the minimal height at roughly 2 feet is ideal for unobstructed views. The mixture of three-square bulrush and pre-existing sod along the River Walk lends itself to both historical significance and modern climate challenges. 

Besides encouraging naturally occurring three-square bulrush, we’ve had great success with planting plugs. In 2023, interns transplanted 1500 three-square bulrush plugs in a small area of the coastline. Observations showed a high success rate of plant rooting and growth throughout the first season and has continued since. In areas where three-square bulrush has previously existed and now newly planted, during flooding the flow of water is greatly reduced and erosion of the coastline is minimal. The continuous monitoring and observations prove this plant to be a successful introduction to strengthen the shoreline at the Arboretum. 

This June, our interns planted over 2,500 three-squared bulrush plugs on the land bridge between the Connetquot River and freshwater pond. Over the past ten years we have put great effort in cleaning up the land bridge. We’ve removed invasive bamboo, installed a safe walking path, and planted ten pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens 'Debonair'). The land bridge is a sensitive area that is both historical and practical to the landscape. The most unique challenge is creating a plant palette that can handle flooding, drought, freshwater, brackish water, salt water, high winds, salt spray, full sun and erosion all while being low maintenance! With some trial and error, we feel confident that adding three-squared bulrush as a ground cover will address all the challenges listed. Over the next few years we will monitor the planting and hopefully use this as an educational tool for local communities looking for similar solutions to coastline challenges. 

The ongoing efforts at Bayard Cutting Arboretum to incorporate three-square bulrush not only pay homage to the historical significance of our landscape but also address the challenges posed by climate change. The success of the recent planting initiatives demonstrates the resilience of native plant species in mitigating erosion and providing habitat for wildlife, all while enhancing the visual experience for visitors. As we move forward, our monitoring and educational outreach will serve as valuable resources for communities facing similar coastal challenges. We encourage all our visitors to enjoy their stroll on the River Walk and appreciate the many advantages of three-square bulrush.

Joy Arden, Landscape Curator

BCAHS Plant Sale

A big thanks for a successful, record breaking plant sale hosted by the Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticultural Society! We are so appreciative of the volunteers and community for such a great weekend.

Learn about BCAHS and join at their website: https://www.bcahortsociety.org/

CSA Farm-Grown Cut 

Flowers Available

Farmer Mike, alongside staff and volunteers, has worked hard to bring you fresh-cut, spray-free, and dye-free flowers from the Arboretum's CSA Farm.

These specialty blooms are perfect for brightening your home or gifting to a friend or loved one. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick out your bunch and bring a little farm-grown beauty home!

The Visitor Center is open 9AM-4PM Tuesdays thru Thursdays and 9AM-5PM Fridays thru Sunday.

A group photo of our amazing staff, interns, and Arboretum Trustees!

SAVE THE DATE

Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s 11th Annual Fundraiser

Fields & Flavors at the Farm:

Join us for the Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s 11th Annual Fundraising Gala hosted at the CSA Farm filled with freshly harvested vegetables, locally sourced seafood, local beer & wine, and a live jazz performance.

August 9, 2025 6pm-8pm 

Link for more information and to purchase tickets: https://bayardcuttingarboretum.com/gala-2025/

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. Typically the first Saturday of the month!

Saturday, July 12 - 10:30AM to 12:30PM

Saturday, August 2 - 10:30AM to 12:30PM

Fee: $45 per person.

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

Find More Educational Programs on our Website!

Discover more information and programming on our website. Contact K.T. Williamson, our education coordinator, for additional information. KT.Williamson@parks.ny.gov

Children and Family Programs

Adult Workshops

Follow Us on Socials!