Ault Park Cincinnati

05/12/2026

Orange Mycena along the Forest Loop

05/09/2026

The Shagbark Hickory — scientifically known as Carya ovata — is one of the most distinctive and valuable native trees found in the woods of Ault Park. It is a signature species of the classic oak-hickory forests that naturally occur throughout southwest Ohio.

Here are some fun and meaningful things to know about it:

* Its shaggy bark is famous
The tree gets its name from the long, loose strips of bark that peel away from the trunk. Mature trees almost look furry or untidy compared to smoother-barked forest trees.
* The bark creates wildlife habitat
Those peeling bark plates provide excellent shelter for bats, especially during the summer months. Species such as Indiana bats and little brown bats often roost beneath the bark during the day. Those bats help forests and gardens by consuming huge numbers of insects each night.
* It feeds the forest
Shagbark Hickory trees produce sweet, edible nuts that are highly valued by wildlife. Animals that depend on them include:
* squirrels
* chipmunks
* wild turkeys
* wood ducks
* raccoons
* foxes
* mice
A healthy hickory population helps support a rich and active woodland ecosystem.
* It’s a sign of a mature, healthy forest
Shagbark Hickories are slow-growing and extremely long-lived. Some can survive for more than 300 years. In forests like those in Ault Park, mature hickories often indicate:
* relatively undisturbed woodland history
* deep and healthy soils
* strong biodiversity
* a stable native oak-hickory forest ecosystem
* Its wood is legendary for strength
Hickory wood is among the toughest native hardwoods in North America. Historically it was used for:
* axe handles
* baseball bats
* wagon wheels
* drumsticks (as as drummer, I can attest to their durability!)
* tool handles
The phrase “tough as hickory” comes from trees like Carya ovata.
* It has a long human history
Indigenous peoples across eastern North America valued hickory nuts as an important food source. Crushed nuts were even used to create a nutritious drink and cooking ingredient.
* It contributes to the character of Ault Park’s woods
In the woodland areas of Ault Park, Shagbark Hickories help:
* stabilize soils on slopes
* provide canopy diversity
* support birds and mammals
* strengthen the native woodland ecosystem
* preserve the classic oak-hickory forest identity of southwest Ohio
* It’s beautiful in every season
The tree’s shaggy bark stands out dramatically in winter, while its golden fall color adds warmth and texture to the forest canopy in autumn.

The Shagbark Hickory is more than just an interesting tree — it’s an important part of the ecological story and natural beauty of Ault Park’s woodland habitat.

While scattered through the woods there are several along the side trail from the Forest Loop to the Cliff Trail. You can also see some between the Brook Trail and Observatory.

05/02/2026

The American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to the eastern and central U.S., known for its distinctive mottled, exfoliating bark and large leaves. I’ve shown two here. The one is a three trunked behemoth along the Valley Trail. The lower portion is so covered in moss that you have to look up to see the distinctive white flaking bark shown in the first photo. The last photo is an example on the right as you enter the park on Obsevatory.

🌊 1. Protects streams and prevents erosion

Sycamores are riparian specialists—they love growing along creeks and rivers (like those in Ault Park).

* Their massive root systems hold soil in place, reducing erosion along streambanks
* They absorb stormwater, helping reduce flooding and runoff
* By stabilizing banks, they protect trails, slopes, and water quality

👉 In a park like Ault, this is critical for keeping hillsides intact and streams healthy.

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🐟 2. Improves stream health for wildlife

Sycamores don’t just sit next to streams—they actively improve them:

* Their canopy shades water, keeping it cooler and richer in oxygen
* Fallen leaves and branches create habitat for fish, insects, and aquatic life

👉 Healthier streams mean more biodiversity—from mayflies to fish.

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🐦 3. Supports a huge range of wildlife

Sycamores are like ecosystem hubs:

* Seeds feed birds like finches and chickadees, plus mammals like squirrels and beavers
* Leaves support 40+ species of caterpillars, which feed nesting birds
* Older trees develop hollow trunks, creating homes for owls, bats, and other cavity nesters

👉 One mature sycamore can support dozens of species at once.

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🌿 4. Boosts forest biodiversity

Because they are fast-growing and tolerant of disturbance:

* Sycamores help reclaim damaged or eroded areas
* They act as a “pioneer species”, helping other plants establish over time
* They increase overall plant and animal diversity in woodland systems

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🌬️ 5. Improves air quality and climate resilience

Those huge leaves and towering canopies do real work:

* Capture carbon dioxide and store carbon
* Filter pollutants and improve local air quality
* Provide extensive shade, cooling urban natural areas

👉 In a city park like Ault, this helps create a cooler, healthier microclimate.

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🌳 6. Shapes the structure of the forest

Sycamores are often among the largest trees in bottomland forests:

* Their size creates multi-layered canopy structure
* Fallen giants become logs and habitat for fungi, insects, and soil life
* They influence how sunlight, moisture, and nutrients move through the forest

05/01/2026

Along the Valley Trail on 4/30/26

04/30/2026

Get ready for an unforgettable night of Salsa Under the Stars Friday, May 15th! Join us from 6 pm - 10 pm for an energetic outdoor celebration at the beautiful Ault Park Pavilion, where Latin rhythms will light up the evening!

Dress to impress in your best festive Havana style! Whether you’re a salsa pro or just want to try something new, you’ll have plenty of chances to dance. Take part in our beginner-friendly salsa dance class or hit the floor and show off your moves!

We’ll feature live music by Son Del Caribe – widely acknowledged as Ohio’s top salsa band. Their lively, high-energy performances blend pan-Caribbean and Latin-American styles that are guaranteed to keep you dancing.

Sip and savor five different tastings featuring Caribbean-inspired beers, seltzers, and mixed drinks. Plus, enjoy delicious eats from the The Best Thing Smokin including a mouthwatering sandwich that captures the bold flavors of Cuban cuisine in every bite.

Come join us for a fun and energetic night at the park!

All proceeds go to the Ault Park Advisory Council, an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, for the benefit of Ault Park.

For tickets follow the link below:
https://www.aultparkac.org/event/havana-night-2026/?event_date=2026-05-15

04/28/2026

The ferns in Ault are unfurling! They do seem to be taking advantage of the removal of honeysuckle in those areas. You’ll find Christmas ferns as the most common with the slightly less obvious Southern Brittle Fern being numerous when you do see them. The Christmas ferns will be 1-2’ tall with the brittle ferns only 6”-8” tall at best. There are also Glade Ferns but they tend to be less common and in the more out of the way hillsides along some of the ephemeral streams. I’ve seen some that were pushing 3’ tall.

04/28/2026

Tremella mesenterica or witch’s butter, along Forest Loop on April 2

04/24/2026

Ault Vines Fines Wines tonight from 6-10. Come taste six varietals, smooth jazz, and our food truck.

04/24/2026

Prunus serotina, or the black cherry, is another tree found in the Ault Park forest. Its distinctive black bark is hard to miss. There are some nice examples where the Kids Tree Trail and Brook Trail meet but it’s found throughout the woods. Here’s why it’s beneficial to our ecosystem:

1. It Feeds a Lot of Wildlife

More than 50 species of birds eat the fruit, along with mammals like foxes, raccoons, and squirrels.

2. Birds Plant New Trees

Birds eat the cherries, then spread the seeds elsewhere. Many Black Cherry trees are literally “planted” by birds.

3. Its Bark Looks Like Burnt Potato Chips

As the tree ages, the dark bark becomes rough and flaky, often compared to burnt cornflakes or potato chips—a classic way to identify it.

4. It Smells Like Almonds

When twigs or leaves are scratched or broken, they can release an almond-like scent.

5. Spring Flowers Are Buzzing with Life

Its drooping white flower clusters attract bees, flies, and other pollinators in spring.

6. Tiny Fruit, Big Impact

The cherries are small and bitter to humans unless processed—but wildlife loves them.

7. It Grows Fast for a Hardwood

Compared with oaks and beeches, Black Cherry can grow relatively quickly, helping fill forest openings. On trails that I maintain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that were burned in the 2016 fires, the Pin Cherry is one of the first trees to take advantage of the open forest and is known as a ‘pioneer tree’ for that reason. Their berries are good high fat food for the bears.

04/23/2026

https://livingmagazines.com/2026/04/06/coming-soon-into-the-woods-ault-parks-new-discovery-trail/

By Robin Gee There were some patches of snow on the ground last December when excited children, dressed in winter jackets, scarves and hats, burst through the green plastic ribbon marking the entra…