A Cryptomeria Collection

Cryptomeria japonica is a stately evergreen conifer in the Cupressaceae family, along with recognizable North American natives like Taxodium (bald cypress), Sequoia and Sequoiadendron (redwoods). Although from a large family, Cryptomeria japonica is the only child of its genus. While fossil records suggest several more distinct species throughout the Northern Hemisphere millions of years ago, Cryptomeria is endemic only to Japan in present day. 

In its native habitat, the straight species can grow over 100’ tall, trunks to over 10’ wide, and is rumored to live over 300 years old. In Japan, Cryptomeria became popular for the aesthetic value of the flaky, cinnamon bark and evergreen needles, as well as the industrial value of the timber; in fact, it is so popular it is the national tree of Japan and has been honored with plantings near temples for hundreds of years.

The straight species cannot often be planted in garden settings because of its generally large size, though it remains much smaller outside of its native habitat. That limitation has been alleviated with the development of dozens of ornamental cultivars that explore the full range of size, shape, color, and growth rate of this one species. 

Cryptomeria ‘Cristata’

One of our most unique cultivars here is Cryptomeria ‘Cristata’ which features cristate branches- a coalescence of shoot tips that create wide, fan-shaped appendages that look much like a cock’s comb. This fasciation is a phenomenon caused by either genetic or physiological factors (ex. wounding of the main growing point). In the case of ‘Cristata’, the original cause of the fasciation is unknown as it was discovered in Japanese forests in the early 1900s, but the mutation is maintained through vegetative propagation.  

Cryptomeria ‘Radicans’ planted spring 2022

Cryptomeria ‘Radicans’ in winter 2025

Cryptomeria is also a useful screening and windbreak tree. Choose a fast-growing variety to create an evergreen screen within a few years. Cryptomeria is not a disease-free choice, however introducing diversity into screens and windbreaks will increase the longevity of the installation and prevent total loss if a disease or pathogen does attack. 

Cryptomeria ‘Elegans Nana’ in summer

Cryptomeria ‘Elegans Nana’ in winter

Despite being evergreen, many cultivars of Cryptomeria will don a bronzy hue for the winter, enhancing the winter landscape with some diversity in color. My personal favorite is Cryptomeria ‘Elegans Aurea’. During the winter it is a bright and cheery chartreuse cloud, a very welcome sight during long stretches of grey days. 

These highlighted cultivars exemplify the range of color, shape, and textures to be found within the Cryptomeria collection, but there are far too many to share them all here, so I urge you to explore the Arboretum grounds this winter in search of your favorite one!

Jessica O'Callahan, Grounds Supervisor

Cryptomeria ‘Elegans Aurea’ planted fall 2020

Cryptomeria ‘Elegans Aurea’ in winter 2025

MANTS: A Curator's Playground

We have many projects to address now that we are post Visitor Center construction. Earlier in December, our Director, Kevin Wiecks, and I spent time speaking with staff, analyzing the landscape, and reviewing past/current projects. By January, we defined and prioritized the projects for 2025. They vary from restoring aged plantings to updating our tree collections to addressing problem areas. This type of planning allows us to curate plant orders in an organized and intentional manner instead of going on an impulsive shopping spree! 

Searching for new specimens is one of my favorite parts of my position as Landscape Curator. It is challenging yet rewarding to participate in the entire process of planning, searching, selecting, planting, caring and monitoring a tree (let alone the hundreds we plant each year)! Over the years, I’ve worked with many different nurseries and plant vendors from all over the country. We’ve created incredible relationships with salespeople, growers, and plant enthusiasts. Entering into 2025, I knew some vendors we wanted to work with but I also recognized gaps in our sourcing. I’ve had the desire to seek out and revisit other vendors, nurseries, and connections. So in January, I attended the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) in Baltimore. This in-person trade show hosted close to 960 exhibiting companies in 1,530+ booths and welcomed over 11,000 registrants. It was a great opportunity for me to meet vendors, source material, learn of new introductions and connect with other plant lovers. 

Before going, I set up meetings and marked booths that sounded interesting. Realistically, I knew I couldn’t speak to every company in two days. When I arrived at the trade show, I immediately got lost! It felt like booths for miles, and I wanted to stop at every single one. I had the opportunity to finally meet with salespeople I’ve spoken on the phone with for years. I also had the opportunity to discover nurseries from southern provenances, allowing us to source trees that can handle our warming climate. This spring we are ordering trees from a nursery, Raemelton Farm, located in Maryland. They specialize in rare, underutilized species and focus on sustainable nursery management. I was very impressed that they displayed full size B&B trees in their booth! A tree I’m looking forward to receiving from them this spring is Stewartia koreana (Korean Stewartia), to replace a specimen we just lost. 

One of my favorite stops was to visit the Holly Society of America’s booth. Bayard Cutting Arboretum is a nationally recognized reference garden and as a member, it is always nice to talk about hollies. They educated me on new cultivars and crosses that are being introduced into the trade. I was also able to meet with U.S. National Arboretum representatives and learn about their breeding program to develop new hemlock hybrids with improved resistance to Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. They have two varieties that are patent pending and slowly being distributed to nurseries to grow out and sell in a few years. Something to look forward to! Overall, the trip was a great opportunity to represent the Arboretum and widen our sourcing efforts. 

As gardeners, we know how hectic the growing season is. Preparation is key! Having these next couple months to plan for the upcoming year creates excitement, overwhelm, and a ton of motivation. I found great inspiration from my trip to MANTS and hope to use my experience to grow and improve the Bayard Cutting Arboretum collections. 

Joy Arden, Landscape Curator

The Conifer Garden's many colors and textures amongst the snow!

Joy Arden, Landscape Curator

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Wild & Scenic: Family Friendly Film Festival

Get ready for a morning matinee of incredible short films about our natural world to help connect and inspire young learners!

Featuring titles such as: Brave Girl, Kind of Fishy, You Are Not Small, Jojo- A Toad Musical, and The Tundra. This program is best intended for families with young children. Includes 45 minutes of short films as well as 45 minutes of activities that relate to the films. Light refreshments are provided with the price of admission.

Saturday, March 15th, 2025 10:00 AM- 11:30 AM

$15 per participant

Register here!

Evolution of the American Landscape:

The Secrets of Old Growth Trees (SOLD OUT)

This year’s full-day horticultural symposium will explore the important lessons that old growth and historic trees teach us. Topics will focus on preservation and conservation efforts. This event is SOLD OUT.

Forest School: Spring Saplings (Ages 2-7)

Join us for an 8-week Early Childhood Education program. This series will emphasize the changing of seasons from Winter into Spring. Children will have the experience of seeing the ground thaw, flower buds, and animals come out to play.

Each class is split into three parts; an introductory literacy lesson, followed by an engaging nature walk and lastly a fun activity that incorporates elements from the environment.

Register here!

Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arrangements (AM Session)

Join Hiroko & Gerard Senese -from the Japan Center at Stony Brook University- for a demonstration of the different styles of Japanese flower arrangements; and a workshop to create your own Ikebana based on an arrangement that has been designed on that day.

Learn about the history, concepts, principles and aesthetics behind each arrangement, and the relationship of the flowers to the seasons & to each particular vase being used.

Register here!

NY State Park History Month: Historic House & Grounds Tour

Discover the beauty of winter interest here at the Arboretum with an exclusive Manor House and Grounds Tour. The Manor House is normally closed to visitors at this time of year, so this is a unique opportunity to explore this historical landmark. We’ll also tour the nearby the tree collections outdoors. At a time of year of stillness and rest, there is still so much life to see!

This event will be based out of the Hidden Oak Café and light refreshments will be provided. This program was created in collaboration with our fellow NY State Parks in celebration of NYS history.

Register here!

MLK Food Drive

Share to care! Food drive efforts at Bayard Cutting Arboretum

In celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we at Bayard Cutting Arboretum are joining in the statewide food drive. Non-perishable food items collected will be donated to Island Harvest Food Bank to provide a helping hand to Long Islanders in need. We are accepting donations through February 18 at the Visitor Center. 

Hidden Oak Cafe Winter Closure

Closed January 27 - March 1st.

Forest Bathing Walk

Join certified forest therapy guide, Linda Lombardo of Wild Heart Nature Connection, on a walk to reconnect with the natural world around us.

Fee: $40 per person.

Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and warm clothing for walking outdoors. Register here!

Home School Programming

We welcome you and your children to explore our program. Reservations are required and payment must be made in advance. For more information, please contact Carolann Gaites, Volunteer Coordinator, at 631-581-1002, ext. 105.