After a whirlwind spring of planting, it’s time to fully appreciate the newest additions to the landscape. One such tree is Abies alba ‘Pyramidalis’, also known as Abies alba var. pyramidalis, or the pyramidal fir. It is a natural variant of the European silver fir, Abies alba, which was found as individual trees located throughout Europe, and eventually cultivated as a garden specimen. It took quite some time to decide the location of this special tree. Ultimately, we found a home for it in the Conifer Garden, a showcase collection of unique conifer cultivars. | | |
A great benefit to admiring new trees at the Arboretum is the opportunity to admire older trees as well. When we add a new species or cultivar, we always check our records to see if we have it already- if yes, how many and where. I was excited to discover that we have one mature specimen of the straight species Abies alba, accessioned in 1946, which means this tree is at least 79 years old. The straight species silver fir has the widest native range of all the native European firs - from the Pyrenees through the Alps and to the Carpathians and the Balkans. It was long beloved as a Christmas tree and used for pulp and plywood.
It is easy to see how the pyramidal fir could be utilized in small gardens or in designs needing a strong vertical element, but it is not as favored as Norway spruce cultivars, which are a bit more pest and disease resistant. But, there may be a place for the silver fir in some warming climates- a study suggests that the silver fir is likely able to tolerate increasing temperatures as long as adequate annual moisture is provided, and extreme droughts last less than 3 months.
| | | | Short, radially arranged needles of Abies alba var. pyramidalis. | | Abies alba ‘Pyramidalis’ differs from the straight species mainly in its morphology. In the pyramidal fir, the branches remain tightly ascending, maintaining an upright, narrow habit instead of a broadly conical one. Aside from the obvious differences in habit, the two also diverge in needle arrangement, which requires a closer look! The silver fir exhibits the flat, horizontally arranged needles characteristic of most firs, while the pyramidal fir has needles radially arranged around the stem, much like spruces. | | Long, flat needles of Abies alba. | | Short, radially arranged needles of Abies alba var. pyramidalis. | | The Arboretum offers visitors the unique opportunity to view the differences and similarities of these two closely related trees in the landscape. | | Jessica O'Callahan, Grounds Supervisor | | |
Restoration at
Green-Wood Cemetery
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In January, our Director Kevin Wiecks and I had the opportunity to visit Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn to visit the Cutting’s vaults. We were invited by the Director of Restoration and Preservation, Neela Wickremesinghe to see the plots and discuss the upcoming restoration Green-Wood was planning. We were thrilled to not only see the vaults but learn about the amazing work they perform to preserve the historic landscape and architecture.
Green-Wood was founded in 1838, decades before Central Park and Prospect Park. It quickly became a prestigious place to be buried due to the beauty of the landscape and proximity to Manhattan. In 1866 the New York Times wrote, “It is the ambition of the New Yorker to live upon Fifth Avenue, to take his airings in the [Central] Park, and to Sleep with his fathers in Green-Wood.” Naturally, the Cutting family chose Green-Wood to be their place of rest with three vaults. The Cutting family started their plots in 1852, just a few years after the cemetery was founded. Many of the Cuttings and extended family are buried here.
| | The vaults are uniquely built into hills with beautiful retaining walls and mature juniper cascading down the sides. They looked weathered with staining and cracks. Neela informed us the vaults would be restored by a group of students enrolled in a Masonry Restoration Technician Training Program hosted by Bridge to Craft Careers. The World Monuments Fund established Bridge to Crafts Careers to offer young people in New York City hands-on technical training with the opportunity for placement in a stable career (https://www.wmf.org/programs/the-bridge-to-crafts-careers-program). The students spent over two months restoring the vaults while learning all the proper masonry techniques involved in restoration. I was fortunate enough to spend time with these students when they came to Bayard Cutting Arboretum for a tour. It was a nice way to introduce them to the Cutting family and share their story. | | A couple weeks ago, Kevin and I returned to Green-Wood for the program graduation and unveiling! We are privileged to be involved in this process and witness the preservation of the Cutting's legacy. Neela and her team of students performed amazing work. Joseph Cherub, Green-Wood's Vice President of Horticulture showed us the vaults and beautiful plantings around the area. Green-Wood is not only an active cemetery, but also an arboretum with impressive tree diversity and historic trees. Their oak collection would make the Cutting family very happy! It is fitting that they would be buried in such a serene setting full of unique trees. | |
We express our gratitude to the whole staff at Green-Wood and the hardworking students who restored the Cutting vaults to its former glory. These partnerships serve as a wonderful reminder of the wealth of resources and history that institutions and public gardens have to offer. The experience visiting the Cutting family as stewards of their tree collections and landscape felt both personal and profound. I encourage our patrons to visit Green-Wood to enjoy the beautiful trees, incredible architecture and visit the Cutting family.
| | Joy Arden, Landscape Curator | | |
CSA Farm-Grown Cut
Flowers Available
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Farmer Mike, alongside staff and volunteers, has worked hard to bring you fresh-cut, spray-free, and dye-free flowers from the Arboretum's CSA Farm.
These specialty blooms are perfect for brightening your home or gifting to a friend or loved one. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick out your bunch and bring a little farm-grown beauty home! Limited quantities available.
The Visitor Center is open 9AM-4PM Tuesdays thru Thursdays and 9AM-5PM Fridays thru Sunday.
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This little bud is blooming in the Woodland Garden!
(Magnolia macrophylla)
Johnny Korkodilos, Horticulturist
| | Throughout the month June, relax and enjoy Pride by lounging in our colorful Adirondack chairs in Oak Park! | |
SAVE THE DATE
Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s Annual Fundraiser
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Fields & Flavors at the Farm: Take a stroll on the farm and savor the flavors of the season for this unique tasting experience.
August 9, 2025 from 6pm-8pm
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Life Validated and Unveiled
A Solo Exhibition of Photography by Pamela Waldroup
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Manor House Annex: June 5 - June 29, 2025
Artist Reception: June 8, 2025 1 PM - 4 PM
As a fine art photographer, my camera gives me the ability to reveal to others the details I find in everyday subjects that often go unobserved. The black & white and color photographs on exhibit in Life Validated and Unveiled" voice my strong desire to capture interactions between organic and architectural elements through a geometric approach found in the repetitive patterns and shapes frequently appearing in my images. Exaggerated angles of view and juxtaposition of serendipitously placed elements combine with moody, sometimes dramatic light to leave the viewer with a sense of a presence unseen but felt.
My photography is about hyper-focusing on the subject to validate my own experience and
provoke a memory, real or imagined, to surface both for the viewer and me. The absence of color allows the viewer to become immersed in the place, mood and time depicted but leaves room for personal interpretation and imagination as well. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, "The question is not what you look at, but what you see."
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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. Typically the first Saturday of the month!
Saturday, June 7 - 10:30AM to 12:30PM
Saturday, July 12 - 10:30AM to 12:30PM
Saturday, August 2 - 10:30AM to 12:30PM
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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