Urban Forestry often talks about the environmental, economic, and health benefits of trees, which are of course a great reason to plant trees throughout the community. Beyond these services, there is something personal and meaningful about planting a young tree that will grow from a small trunk with a few branches into a statuesque focal point. Trees are landmarks in time. They may be planted to signify birth and remembrance, the many milestones along the way.

Larry and Dianne Rose had this in mind when they signed up for the Foster-A-Tree program in 2010. With their golden wedding anniversary approaching in a few years, Larry signed up and received a native oak tree. He says, “The chinquapin oak was planted so it would be flourishing for our 50th wedding anniversary in September 2015; a growing oak, as we grow in marriage.”