The American Museum of Natural History's Origami Tree is Now on Display

The 13-foot tree boasts one thousand brilliantly colored origami cranes.

By Melissa Wickes November 25, 2020

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Some highlights of trees past include a 40-year-old model of a pterosaur, a ferocious saber-tooth tiger, and a giant star made up of more than 30 smaller pieces that decorated the top of a tree. 

"It's a long process but it's a labor of love," Joyce says. "In the end, it's all worth it to see the kids and adults light up when they see the tree year after year."

The American Museum of Natural History will host a series of virtual origami folding tutorials throughout the holiday season, with the first on Dec. 3 at 2pm. Kawasaki will teach viewers to fold a swimming koi fish in the first session. Other sessions will occur on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 with details to come on the museum's website.

Museum attendance remains at 25-percent capacity to allow for social distancing. With reduced capacity, visitors will have a unique, intimate opportunity to view the Origami Tree and to enjoy beloved museum exhibits including the blue whale, T. rex, or The Titanosaur.

The Origami Holiday Tree is located in the Grand Gallery on the first floor of the museum. It will be on display through Jan. 10, 2021, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm. To visit the museum, make an advance ticket reservation on amnh.org.

Main image by D. Finnin/©AMNH