Our Visitor Center is opening soon! In addition to the numerous exhibits about our history and tree collections that will enhance visitor experience on the grounds, we also want to offer patrons the ability to take a little bit of the Arboretum home with them. There will be eggs, flowers, and eventually a candle specially created to hold the essence of Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Often, we think of flowers primarily when considering a fragrant plant, something like a rose or peony, but conifers are among the most aromatic plants around! They may lack showy blooms, but they reliably provide a range of pleasant, fresh, woody scents all year long, and are the perfect fragrance to encapsulate the Arboretum.

The scent of pines, firs, and other conifers are caused by the release of terpenes-the primary constituents of essential oils and the compounds responsible for the way plants smell. Terpenes are released by all trees, but conifers have more of pinene-the chemical that produces that beloved Christmas tree scent. Scientists believe that terpenes also play a role in temperature regulation in forests; as they are released, they chemically react with the air to create aerosols, which in turn promote cloud formation. Clouds reflect the sunlight away from the trees, thus helping to reduce the overall temperature of a coniferous forest. These chemicals also help deter pests from consuming the plant or help attract the predators for those pests.

These compounds may also be responsible for some of the numerous benefits trees have on human health. Anyone can take advantage of these benefits by simply walking through the forest, an ecotherapy known as forest bathing, which is credited with bolstering the immune system, improving mood, and reducing blood pressure by encouraging practitioners to notice small details of our surroundings that we may normally hurry by. Experience forest bathing at the Arboretum with Linda Lombardo.

A particular favorite tree of the Arboretum is Abies concolor, or white fir. The needles are long, flat, and when crushed emit an intoxicating citrusy-pine scent that I would say is its key identifying feature. This is my vote for the signature fragrance of the Arboretum, but it’s more than just a source of aromatherapy. Although native to the Southwestern United States, the white fir is the best fir suited for the eastern US as it is equally tolerant of heat and cold and doesn’t require a lot of moisture. The foliage is soft and greenish-blue, and many cultivars have been developed to showcase strong blue or silver colors. For a long time, Colorado blue spruce was the principal plant for blue foliage in the landscape, but we face the reality that Colorado blue spruces are not well-suited to the eastern US due to increasing temperatures and humidity. Luckily, Abies concolor can replace their role in the landscape with fewer pest and disease problems.

We are maintaining our current collection of Colorado blue spruces (Picea pungens) but slowing introducing more cultivars of Abies concolor. The newest introduction is Abies grandis x concolor ‘Leutenggeri’, a recent hybrid of two native North American firs. Exhibiting the blue of Abies concolor and the flat needles of Abies grandis, it is a particularly exquisite plant. Looks aside, the breeding expands the range of Abies concolor to regions it doesn’t naturally grow, offering the opportunity for a blue, disease resistant, and aromatic specimen in even more gardens throughout the country.

Fragrance is a great way to identify plants, so I encourage you all to slow down and “smell the roses” by which I really mean the firs, pines, cedars, junipers…and then let us know, what is your favorite coniferous scent at the Arboretum?

-Jessica O'Callahan, Grounds Supervisor

As an Arboretum, we encourage our visitors to slow down and notice different aspects of nature. Jessica highlights unique characteristics of plants each month as a way to guide our senses and be more mindful. After all, our mission statement is “to provide an oasis of beauty and quiet for the pleasure, rest, and refreshment of those who delight in outdoor beauty; and to bring about a greater appreciation and understanding of the value and importance of informal planting.” It is a great reminder to not only practice being mindful but also be more intentional.

Bayard Cutting Arboretum is full of trees with unique stories. Plant selection, introductions, and design are heavily thought out. Unsurprisingly, this type of intentionality bleeds into everything we do at the Arboretum. For example, the CSA farm very thoughtfully chose heritage breed chickens to produce delicious organic eggs in a range of colors. This leads us to the Arboretum logo that was designed in 2015. Our supportive Board of Trustees and past director, Nelson Sterner, wanted to update the Arboretum signage and create a new logo. The Doyle Partners were commissioned to design a new logo that would represent the Arboretum in a more modern and simplistic manner.

If you look at our logo, you may see a few different things. People say they see a leaf with veins or a pinecone. Others say they see a tree branch. While all of these observations run true, the logo has a much deeper connection to the Arboretum. The designers searched for inspiration throughout our landscape but ultimately landed on architecture. Westbrook was designed by Charles Coolidge Haight in 1886. The house was based on the Queen Anne and Tudor style with a naturalistic theme. The house gables display beautiful dark timber framing. However, the timber framing is slightly unique for this country home because of the artistic lines and shapes created. The Cutting family was known to intentionally add naturalistic elements into their home to reflect the Olmsted designed landscape. The half-timber pattern in this gable suggested the structure of a conifer. Doyle partners drew inspiration from the timber framing and the nod to conifers, Mr. Cutting’s favorite type of tree. This led to our current logo, both representing Westbrook and the Cutting’s fondness of nature.

We can appreciate the symbolism and the designer’s ability to summarize the Arboretum in a single logo. It takes great research, thought, and creativity. As we approach the opening of the Visitor Center, I can’t help to appreciate the same intentionality given to this project. From the simplistic yet unique architecture to the incredibly special exhibits about our landscape, we are reminded how important it is to mindfully observe our surroundings. We take pride in our intentionality and purpose here at Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Our logo is just one story of many that can be celebrated with our new Visitor Center.

-Joy Arden, Landscape Curator

Pruning Rhododendrons with our new batch of

2024 horticultural interns! Michael Voss, Horticulturalist.

June 1 and 2; 9 AM - 4 PM

Lower Carriage House

Offering perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, natives, small shrubs and trees.This year, houseplants will be offered for the first time!

Friday, June 7, 2024 - 1:00PM to 3:00PM

Visit and learn about our new flock!

Eggs will be available for purchase ($10 cash)

Click here more information.

Saturday, June 22, 2024 - 9:30AM to 10:30AM

$15 per Adult (Ages: 18+).

$10 per Child (Ages: 5-17).

Weaving stories of his travels Jungle Bob dispels some of the myths surrounding some of nature's least understood creatures, educating while entertaining crowds of all ages. This event is family friendly. However, information is best suited for kids at an elementary level.

Fridays in July & August - 9:30AM to 10:30AM

$25 per session or $125 for series

This 6-week series is designed to be a fun, educational addition to your child’s summer. We will cover a variety of topics that give us a deeper understanding of where the food we eat comes from including: growing vegetables, creating compost, the precipitation cycle, supporting pollinators, raising chickens and harvesting crops.

Saturday, June 29, 2024 - 9:30AM to 12:30PM

$75 per person

Participants will have an opportunity to work side by side with an expert, gain hands-on experience and receive instruction on how to properly recreate this process at home. Additionally, any samples created can be taken home by the participants. This workshop is presented by Dr. Rosa M. Gambier, Professor of Biology. Join us for a colorful experience!

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - 10:30AM to 11:30AM

Saturday, June 8, 2024 - 10:30AM to 11:30AM

Docents will spotlight specific, seasonally appropriate areas of the Arboretum in a one-hour grounds tour. Available only on the first Wednesday and first Saturday of each month. $5.00 per person. Call (631) 581-1002 for availability, required registration, and more details.

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!

Have fun with watercolors and go home with a finished picture ready to frame!

Fee: $50 per Student

Upcoming dates:

All materials are provided by the instructor. Feel free to bring your own paints and brushes to class. Registration, additional dates, and more information can be found on our website.

The National League of American Penwomen, the All Cities Branch

This exhibits showcases the art of 4 visual artists and 1 poet.

Dates: June 10 – July 8

Exhibit Hours: Thursdays – Sundays, 11AM – 4PM

Artist Reception: Sunday, June 23 from 1:00 to 3:30 PM

Location: Annex Art Gallery

Manor House Tours are offered Thursdays thru Sundays at 1PM. Ground Tours are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:30AM. Call (631) 581-1002 for availability, costs, required registration, and more details.

We welcome you and your children to explore our program. Tours are available on Tuesdays at 9:30 am. 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.