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Spring is the time of year that provokes our imagination, curiosity and yearning
for lush green leaves and flowers. The arboretum comes alive with verdant splendor more and more each day. Blooms of all sizes, shapes, and colors dapple the landscape here at Bayard-Cutting throughout April, May, and June. With trees being my passion, I gravitate toward the flowers of our many smaller, understory specimens. One tree separates itself from the others with a unique display of shy, yet sensational flowers.
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Styrax obassia, the fragrant snowbell, is a small to medium sized tree with an
extraordinary flower display in late May and early June (U-0787). White, fragrant racemes (flowers attached and hanging from a main axis) are abundant throughout the tree’s canopy and emit a sweet and pleasant fragrance. Groupings of bell shaped flowers peer out from behind the foliage. Each individual flower seems bashful behind the newly opened, large, green leaves. When witnessed as a whole however, the flowering canopy explodes with an exquisite white flower display. When most other flowering trees are past their blooming stage, fragrant snowbell is just getting started.
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Styrax obassia can grow 20-30 feet high and wide, with an open, spreading
habit, and dense branches that extend upward. Located in the New Pinetum, our
mature snowbell is juxtaposed in front of our more formal beech tree hedge. This
positioning highlights the tree’s natural form and texture.
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Fragrant snowbell shows interesting characteristics throughout the year. Fruit
persist deep into autumn, with leaves turning a subdued shade of yellow. Exfoliating
bark is smooth and gray on the outside, and gives way to reddish browns and green
underneath. Branches reach up and gnarl their way outward, contributing to the tree’s
naturalistic architecture in winter.
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The species name Styrax obassia is derived from the Greek styrax, meaning
resin producing, and the Japanese obassia, meaning big leaf. Fragrant snowbell is native to Japan, Korea, and northeastern China. With its hard wood and attractive
bark, the tree was used for traditional woodworking throughout its native range.
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The styrax genus is well represented at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, with thirteen
specimens including three different species. Our newest addition, Styrax americanus
(American snowbell), a native to the southeastern U.S. was added to the woodland
garden last year (2025-0121). There are approximately one hundred species of styrax worldwide with the majority native to regions throughout Asia.
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Follow the fragrance into the New Pinetum this month and enhance your senses.
The name snowbell may conjure up images of last winter. When witnessed in June however, the memories of snow will give way to the glorious sights of spring and
summer.
| | Michael J. Voss, Staff Arborist | | Machinery at the Arboretum | | Every year at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, we plant numerous trees. While we often plant saplings, smaller trees take years to have a significant impact on the landscape. The best way to overcome this is to plant larger, balled and burlapped (B&B) trees. This Spring we are on track to plant 80 B&B trees. But how do you go about planting a 15’ tall, 1000lb B&B tree, let alone 80 of them? | |
 | | We would like to introduce you to our “Mini”, or the Bobcat MT85 mini skid-steer. Utilizing this machinery, we can plant these larger B&B specimens with efficiency and safety in mind. First, we start with the auger attachment, where it takes just a couple minutes to dig a hole 3-4 feet deep and wide. A hole that large would take 1-2 staff members a lot longer to dig. After we get the hole to the proper size, we switch out the auger for pallet forks. These forks are used in many different industries and are the perfect tool for lifting heavy loads. We then put a tree sling around the root ball which allows the Mini to hoist the entire tree into the air. We cut and remove the metal cage from around the root ball. From there we gently lower the tree into the hole. We level the tree and ensure it is sitting at the proper height. Often we use the Mini to lift, move, and manipulate the root ball into the correct position. Something that would be almost impossible for a worker to do, at least without great physical strain and proper leverage. At this point, we backfill with soil and create a mulch ring so the tree is ready to begin life in its new location.
| | Being able to plant these trees on our own has also allowed us to be more independent and ensure our planting process is best suited towards the health of the tree. In the trade, it is common to encounter dead B&B trees that have been removed with the metal cage still intact, tightly wrapped in burlap, or planted at inappropriate heights in relation to their surroundings. Our team is dedicated to taking the necessary time to completely remove the cage and burlap to prevent girdling roots and to ensure that the planting height is appropriate. This has led to better health and a greater survival rate of our B&B trees. | | Planting trees is not the only thing the Mini can do though! It enables us to clear large areas of invasive weeds, install and repair our fences, clean up brush, move material, dig irrigation holes, and a host of other tasks. A 36 inch width and relatively low operating weight allows the Mini to enter tight spaces that large equipment would not fit. Being able to utilize its power and efficiency in these spaces allows us to complete various tasks in shorter time and with less risk to employees. This in turn allows more of our staff to devote their time to other projects throughout the Arboretum. | | Modern machinery, technology and tools allow us to continue to maintain the “oasis of beauty and quiet” …Just maybe not while the machine is running! | | Patrick Hein, Park Manager | | Our 2026 interns proudly planting their first tree of the season! | |
Evenings at the Arboretum:
A Summer Series of Evening Grounds Tours
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In lieu of our Annual Gala, we are offering a series of Evening Grounds Tours that will be led by Arboretum Horticulture Staff and Volunteer Grounds Docents. These tours will offer a serene experience, allowing visitors to explore a variety of gardens, that include historic trees and architecture, as the setting sun transforms the landscape. A happy hour will be take place following each tour featuring local beer, wine, botanical mocktails, appetizers, plein-air artist and musicians.
All proceeds will fund restoration projects at the Arboretum. Thank you for your continued support in our mission.
The first tour is Oasis Under the Oaks on Thursday, June 25 - 6pm - 8:30pm.
| | Dried & True: Herbal Tea Workshop | | |
In this workshop, participants can expect to package their own herbal tea blends utilizing dried herbs grown on our CSA Farm. Herbal varieties include: chamomile, calendula, lemon balm, lavender, sage, mint and more!
Date and Time:
Saturday, July 25 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration Required
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2026 Annex Art Exhibit: Pieces of Me | | |
Pieces of Me – Mosaics and Paintings by Judith Caseley
June 11 – July 5, 2026
Artist Reception June 14, 2026 – 1:00 - 4:00 PM
About the Artist
Judith Caseley is the author and illustrator of over forty books for children. Her mosaic art, created with glass tile and found objects, may seem quite different from her delicate watercolor illustrations. Yet both bodies of work share a distinctive vitality and a strong sense of narrative. Critics have described her art as “vital and energetic,” “primitive and charming,” “chunky and appealing,” and “pulsing with humor and visual excitement,” evoking “the wonder of a child.”
We hope your visit to this exhibition brings you the same sense of delight that Judith Caseley’s work has given to young readers for more than thirty-five years. She is especially grateful to the Bayard Cutting Arboretum for the opportunity to present these mosaics again—this time to be fully experienced and enjoyed by the public.
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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!
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Find More Educational Programs
on our Website!
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Discover more information and programming on our website.
Contact K.T. Williamson, our education coordinator, for additional information. KT.Williamson@parks.ny.gov
| | 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 | | | | |
