Amawalk Nursery’s tree empire

The world's largest big-tree nursery once operated right here in Amawalk on the border of Somers and Yorktown.

According to Clarence Murphy, who managed Amawalk Nursery after arriving in Yorktown in 1925, the nursery specialized in mature trees ranging from 6 to 18 years old, with some reaching heights of up to 70 feet. In 1928 alone, approximately two million trees were growing on the property, and 250,000 were sold that year.

At its peak, the nursery encompassed 1,068 acres. Much of its success was credited to Evelyn Smith, who expanded the business after beginning to catalogue and sell trees in 1909. Under her leadership, Amawalk Nursery developed innovative methods for transporting large trees with soil-packed root balls wrapped in burlap.

Among the nursery's most notable achievements was growing the nation's first National Christmas Tree, planted at the White House during the Coolidge administration. Trees from Amawalk Nursery were also placed in Times Square, Grand Central Station, and other locations around the world.

Its legacy can still be seen today in the mature trees that continue to grace Yorktown and surrounding communities.

Information from oral history interviews archived by the Somers Historical Society.