Field trips are one of the most important activities of the Society and participation is the best way to increase one’s knowledge of local plants. Most of the trips are for general study and monitoring of the flora and ecology of an area. Other trips are led by individuals who specialize in certain groups of plants and their trips are planned accordingly. While most trips emphasize plant study, other aspects of natural history and cultural heritage are not neglected. Trip participants are always free to ask questions about anything of interest they see. The leader or other members of the group can often supply an answer.
The location may be any place of botanic interest which is usually within 50 miles of New York City. We are not a hiking club and walking distances are usually not great. Those who come on the field trips are urged to participate in the Society’s other activities as well. Trips generally go rain or shine; if in doubt, check the website or contact the leader. Some trips are reachable only by automobile. Those in need of rides and those who are offering rides should post and check for messages on Torrey Botanical Society’s Facebook and Twitter sites or contact the trip leader. Those who use public transportation are advised to check updated schedules in advance. Interested guests and non-members are always welcome on field trips.
Upcoming Field Trips
Galls of Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn, NYC)
Sunday, September 13 @ 11:00AM
Galls are unusual plant growths induced by wasps, aphids, mites, midges, and other organisms who use the resulting species-unique forms as food and protection for their larvae. Green-Wood Cemetery, an arboretum with nearly 700 tree species, is an excellent place to observe these fascinating growths. We’ll concentrate on the Cynipidae wasps found on Quercus, but we’ll also touch on gall-makers found on Acer, Carya, Celtis, Nyssa, Rhus… the list goes on in a long evolutionary history of plant-animal interactions.
Trip Leader: Matthew Wills
Meeting Location: We will meet just inside the Gothic Gate at the cemetery’s 25th Street entrance (https://maps.app.goo.gl/RBrm4weLLadctBiN7). The closest subway is one block away: the R train to 25th Street (on 4th Avenue)
Check back soon for more details on upcoming field trips, or become a member to receive updates via email!
Field trip leaders are asked to complete and submit a field trip reporting form which includes vegetation lists and notes on any new or unusual plants or vegetation types to the Field Chair, Zihao Wang (zihaowa@outlook.com). These trip reports, when submitted, will be made available as a year end field trip summary publication.
Please click on the link to access the field trip reporting form:
TBS Field Trip Instructions
Past Field Season Reviews: TBS 2016 Field Review & TBS 2017 Field Review