Gift Tree Planting brings people together

By Emma Gray

More than 75 people joined us on Sunday, March 27, to plant trees in honor and memory of their loved ones. Our final Gift Tree planting of the 2010-11 planting season was a vibrant example of people celebrating life by nurturing life. Over 600 native trees and shrubs are now in the ground at the gorgeous Collins Sanctuary, plants that not only beautify the space but are impacting restoration efforts in a powerful way.

Under a cloudy sky, volunteer planters who had either purchased or received Gift Trees headed down a hill to the Collins Sanctuary, a publicly held parcel of land purchased by Metro and managed by the Audubon Society of Portland. Small groups of friends and family greeted each other warmly and gathered together while enjoying coffee and breakfast treats.

The planters were welcomed by Scott Fogarty, executive director for Friends of Trees, and Meryl Redisch, executive director of the Audubon Society of Portland and president of Friends of Trees’ board of directors.

Before the planting began, Chaplain Jason Mann reminded the group of people’s intrinsic connection to nature and the value of relationships.

“Today is about relationships with loved ones and with the earth,” he said. “It’s really important to listen,” though the earth “doesn’t speak a language we always understand.” He noted the sound of wind in the branches and the dripping of newly fallen rain from the leaves.

It takes discernment to understand that the earth is saying, “I need you,” he explained. It’s also important that people answer, “Here I am.”

It was a special morning filled with powerful stories of love and celebration of life. The Miller-Dryer family planted a Western Hemlock for their wife and mother who passed away nearly a year ago. Her son, Alex, noted her love for many of our area’s trees, including the hemlock. His mother “would have loved this,” he said of the Gift Tree planting.

Krystyna Wolniakowski (pictured above) also planted for her mother, who passed away this year. She was joined by a crew of friends and co-workers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Trees were planted as holiday gifts, valentines, in memory of lost loved ones, to commemorate victorious battles with cancer, to welcome new babies, to remember lost animal companions, and much more! Each planter present had a poignant, heartwarming story to share about why they were planting.

You can purchase your own Gift Tree or Grove for friends and loved ones through Friends of Trees.

–Gray is Gift Tree & Membership Services Specialist for Friends of Trees.