Irene's Visit to the Gardens

We've received lots of inquiries via phone, email, and Facebook asking whether the Gardens suffered any damage due to Hurricane Irene. According to our Director of Horticulture, Maura McGoldrick-Brush, who surveyed the property during the storm, the Gardens did suffer quite a bit of damage due to downed limbs and trees, but no significant damage to structures (except for the arbor along the Primrose Path, left). Extensive damage to the property was significantly reduced as a result of a tree maintenance program conducted in collaboration with Bartlett Tree Experts http://www.bartlett.com/index.cfm .

White Pines and Silver Maples were the trees most affected by the hurricane. Both types grow fast (that is why they are so popular), however, this trait results in weak limbs susceptible to heavy winds. In recent years the Gardens has been systematically trimming or cabling these species as well as other trees whose falling limbs are likely to damage nearby structures. As these trees are removed due to disease or other issues, their replacements are of sturdier types, for example the new sugar maples planted on the North Lawn.

As noted above the most serious damage to a structure was due to a large limb of the silver maple by the Thatched Cottage. This limb cracked and crush approximately 20' of the arbor along the Primrose Path. Fortunately proper cabling prevented any damage to the Cottage.

Saturated ground contributed to a linden along the eastern side of the South Allee being uprooted by the heavy winds. Unfortunately the tree fell towards the west and damage the Canadian hemlock along side it.

Clean-up of the debris is still underway and will probably continue through October, especially in the woodland areas along the edges of the property (the tree to the left is by the service entrance). The horticulture and operations staff put in long hours in the early part of the week readying the Gardens for visitors when it reopened on Wednesday. This will be a busy fall as the storm clean-up will go right into leaf clean-up and bulb planting. All photos by OWG Staff Member Vince Kish.

Goodnight Gardens, Hello Spring!

Finally! The weather's warmed after the long, long, looooonnnng winter of 2010/ 2011.
And with April showers come welcome spring flowers care of our extraordinary volunteer gardeners last fall.

Those that joined last November's Goodnight Gardens event have helped to beautify our lake trail this spring. Over 200 daffodil bulbs were planted to add to the sweeping view of our naturalistic waterside walk. Daffodils, one of the most animal resistant bulbs available, are a priority for spring color in the area, a favorite home and habitat to local wildlife.

Thank you, thank you to everyone who contributed!

Be sure to seek out the work of these horticultural heroes when you visit the Gardens this weekend.

If these Westbury House walls could talk...

Thanks so much to Junior Girl Scout troop #3407 for visiting yesterday afternoon! 9 girls and their leaders listened to tales of Phipps family life over 100 years ago and chatted Local Lore to reveal even more of Long Island's local history. The troop studied early 1900's maps of the community to discover land changes that have taken place over the past century and brainstormed new ways to better our island in the future. Ideas like graffiti cleanup, park restoration, and even camera sensitive irrigation systems were hashed out! These big thinkers were more than strictly business... Take a look at a few fun shots below. Thanks again troop #3407, you zany leaders of tomorrow!

Girl Scout troop # 3407

The 21st Annual Long Island Festival of Trees

If you're considering gathering the kids for a little 3AM doorbuster bonding, here's a better idea! Skip the Black Friday craziness to make some real holiday memories with the family while supporting a great cause.

Join the 21st Annual Long Island Festival of Trees at the Cradle of Aviation Museum to benefit the United Cerebral Palsy Association. View designer-decorated trees from Old Westbury Gardens and 40 non-profits spanning a variety of themes from Twas the Night Before Christmas to Environmental Education to a Mexican Fiesta! Enjoy continuous live entertainment, Dept 56 shoppe, gingerbread village, vendor marketplace, toy shops, food, and much more.

I have it on good authority that the big man himself will make an appearance. That's right- I'm talking Santa, folks.

This is one event not to miss. Revive yourself from that turkey coma and join in on the fun!

The 21st Annual Long Island Festival of Trees

Friday, November 26th 11AM-6PM

Saturday, November 27th 11AM- 6PM

Sunday, November 28th 11AM- 5PM

For more information, please visit http://ucpn.org/

Goodnight Gardens...

What's one spring flower that you can also find on your face?

Tu-Lips- Get it?!

Who doesn't love the spring flowers that Old Westbury Gardens has to offer? Tulips, daffodils, allium, and hyacinth are all a welcome sight after the long winter season. But what do those flowers do during the winter? Where do they go? Resting beneath the winter soil are flower bulbs waiting for the perfect moment to come to life.

Bulbs are an important part of the Gardens' springtime landscape. Thousands of bulbs are used throughout the almost 200 acres every year.

Join us this Saturday, 11/13 to help us say "Goodnight Gardens!". Little horticulturists will learn bulb basics, plant in our beds, and go home with their own bulbs to plant.

Saturday, 11/13
Noon

Let's Hear it for the Birds!

This past Saturday, a group of 16 motivated Early Birds found a way to wake up on the last morning of daylight savings time. The mixed group of novice and tenured bird watchers were rewarded for their efforts with sighted success!
Under the watchful eye of Outreach Coordinator and bird expert Anne Winters from the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center, a slew of some of the 900 species of North American birds were spotted. Old Westbury Gardens' lake trail proves to be a paradise for resident and feeder birds as well as those migratory birds grabbing a few last bites before their great southbound flight.
From the get go, a beginner like myself can notice the importance of limited conversation to avoid easily spooking certain species. But imagine my surprise when a group of Black Capped Chickadees flitted from branch to branch only feet above our heads. Acrobatic indeed, their bold personalities imply their adorable curiosity as the flock seemed barely bothered by our presence.
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker could be glimpsed tapping his way up the bark of a fernleaf beech tree. Our group quickly learned to detect the markings of the Sapsucker versus any other species. Much like other woodpeckers, the Sapsucker does create dips and dents in the wood of trees searching for insects. However, the markings are generally well organized forming long strands of holes rather than scattered spots.
A solitary Hairy Woodpecker sighting proved more difficult to distinguish considering its characteristics are so similar to the Downy Woodpecker. Expert Anne pointed out the Hairy Woodpecker's larger bill (nearly the same length as the head!) and overall bigger size.
Amongst other birds spotted was a Yellow-rumped Warbler as well as a Carolina Wren, Hermit Thrush, Song Sparrow, White Throated Sparrow, Cardinal, Bluejay, and Mockingbird along with a flock of hundreds of Starlings and Grackles zipping overhead. Even the Great Blue Heron made a guest appearance swooping across the lake and showcasing its giant wingspan.

Want to learn more about birds and bird watching opportunities? Visit the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center. And stay tuned to Old Westbury Gardens' 2011 programming. We will surely welcome back our feathered friends when the weather warms!