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A Coniferous Curiosity for the Holiday Season
The Bayard Cutting Arboretum Annual Appeal
| | Every moment brings something new to Bayard Cutting Arboretum. The longer I work here, the more I realize how difficult it is to predict the natural landscape. Science tells us the facts that guide the horticulture and our overall ecology of our trees. However, there are always the unseen variables, often unexplainable, that push and pull the landscape in different directions that we cannot predict. This makes our jobs challenging, but it also makes them rewarding and it certainly makes every day a surprise. | |
In 2022 Bayard Cutting Arboretum was given a mature specimen of the extremely rare conifer, Cathaya agrophylla. This handsome conifer now provides the perfect backdrop to the Four Season Garden. In addition to its beauty, this specimen is extremely important to the conservation of a tree species which is currently classified as threatened. This classification is based on a number of reasons which challenge the tree’s ability to reproduce both in the wild and in cultivation. This is largely based on cone production. Cones are usually only produced on very mature trees and the timing of male and female cone production is often out of synch. Chinese botanists have termed this tree the “Panda of the Plant World” because of its difficulty to reproduce.
| | To great surprise and wonder Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s “Panda of the Plant World” produced male and female cones this season for the first time in the life of the tree! This is certainly something for all of us to celebrate. This amazing occurrence reminds me of the importance of Bayard Cutting Arboretum and why we work so hard to maintain it. We have successfully added another tree to our conservation efforts, and you now have another reason to visit. | | As we observe this botanical curiosity and all the beauty that makes up Bayard Cutting Arboretum, we reflect on all the hard work it took to get here and what we have accomplished in 2025. | | |
EDUCATION
- In addition to Farm School and Forest School preschool programs, our education program ran 40 unique programs serving over 800 participants.
- New art program with multiweek series of classes
- New weekend workshops focused on horticulture, farming, art, and wellness.
- Scouting America Merit Badge Program
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FARM
- The CSA Farm distributed 1,660 shares to 116 members over the course of 22 weeks.
- 22,638 lbs. of vegetables were harvested, including 132 varieties of 40 different crops.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION
- New Manor House Curator was hired.
- The original floor of the Manor House Dining Room was restored.
- The plexiglass barrier protecting the Dining Room tapestries was replaced.
- A new collection policy and object inventory was written.
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HORTICULTURE
- 126 trees were planted including 37 new taxa.
- The Cow Barn shrub border was renovated.
- New drip irrigation and new perennials were added to the Four Season Garden.
- Our oak exchange and propagation program grew oak diversity to 52 species.
- We continued planting native wetland grasses along the River Walk.
- The surveying was completed for the shoreline restoration project.
| | We are proud of our achievements of 2025 and look forward to accomplishing our goals for 2026, including: expanded education programs to include greater diversity of ages and communities, Carriage House lighting and flooring improvements, the restoration of the walkway surrounding our weeping beech, the completion of a Conservation Assessment Report and Roof and Chimney Study for the Manor House, Re-housing and scanning of the archives, Lower Carriage House hedge renovation, increased bulb planting throughout Arboretum, root invigoration of aging specimen trees, and progression of shoreline restoration project. | | |
We take this time to recognize all those that make this possible; The Cutting family, NYS Parks, Bayard Cutting Arboretum Board of Trustees, the Natural Heritage trust, Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticultural Society, Long Island Dahlia Society, Hidden Oak Café, all of the phenomenal staff, interns, and volunteers, and the entire Arboretum community that share our vision and support us everyday with their patronage. Our “Panda of the Plant World” would not be here without each and every one of you.
We thank everyone for getting us to this point and we ask for your continued support during our 2025 Holiday Appeal. Your financial contributions will directly fund the outlined projects for 2026 and help sustain what we have worked so hard to achieve.
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Every person within the Bayard Cutting Arboretum community is part of our family and we look forward to celebrating with all of you.
Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,
Kevin Wiecks, Director
| | Save the Date: Symposium 2026 | |
Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticulture Symposium
Evolution of the American Landscape: Making the Coastal Connection
Monday, February 23, 2026
| Bayard Cutting Arboretum Honey | |
Many of you may have noticed the hives hidden away at the eastern portion of the CSA Farm in the Arboretum. Our beekeeper, George Tashie of Bayberry Apiary, has spent the last year delicately caring for these hives. For those who have been searching for local honey produced on the South Shore, this Bayard Cutting Arboretum honey will be sold at the Visitor Center starting Saturday, December 6 at $22 for a 1 lb jar.
Very limited quantity available!
| BCA Food Drive for Long Island Cares | |
The holidays should be a time of joy, not hunger. Join us in spreading warmth and comfort by donating food to the Long Island community!
Beginning December 5th, non-perishable food can be brought to the drop off boxes located at the Visitor Center and Manor House.
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Join certified forest therapy guide, Linda Lombardo of Wild Heart Nature Connection, on a walk to reconnect with the natural world around us. We’ll slow down, wander, and notice what most of the world simply walks past; the beauty of nature in any season. We’ll do some grounding, connect with the trees and water, and even create some nature art together.
Saturdays
Fee: $45 per person.
Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and warm clothing for walking outdoors. Register here!
| | Find More Educational Programs on our Website! | | Help Support Bayard Cutting Arboretum | |
Tax deductible donations can also be made by check payable to
Natural Heritage Trust and mailed to
Bayard Cutting Arboretum, PO Box 907, Great River, NY 11739
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