The Quiet Corner Garden Club (QCGC), with a grant from National Garden Club’s Plant America program, is sponsoring a tree planting project in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The Club is prepared to plant a tree in the fourteen towns in Connecticut and two in Massachusetts, representative of the Garden Club’s membership. Nine of the fourteen towns have already committed to the project. Trees planted in Connecticut will be the White oak, the state tree. In Massachusetts, it will be the state tree, the American elm. Each town will choose the location to plant. Funds raised in part by the QCGC’s annual Plant Sale and the $2,000 grant from Plant America will be used to purchase the trees.

QCGC is recruiting local scout groups, 4H clubs and others to assist Club members in planting the trees in the spring. Involving youth groups encourages interest in gardening, horticulture and the conservation of natural resources, all part of QCGC’s mission.

White oak trees and American elms have a historic resonance in their respective states. The White oak was named state tree to honor the Charter Oak, a majestic white oak that grew at the state capital. In 1687, Colonists hid Connecticut’s Royal Charter in the Oak to prevent its
confiscation by British authorities. In 1856, a violent storm felled the Charter Oak estimated to be 500 to 600 years old. Native Americans used bent oak saplings, which are extremely pliable, to mark trails. Because white oaks flourish in many different eco-regions, they are considered well suited to withstand anticipated climate changes.

American elms, due to their distinctive vase-shaped arching form, were traditionally used by Native Americans as “council” trees for important meetings. Massachusetts designated the

American elm as its state tree in 1941 to commemorate General Washington assuming command of the Continental Army in 1775 under an American elm (which stood until 1923). American elms were used extensively as a street tree in many American towns and cities in the 19 th century. The rapid spread of the Dutch elm disease decimated the elm population during the 20 th century. Arborists have created varieties in the past few decades that are hoped to be disease-resistant.

The first oak was planted in Hyde Park, Stafford on April 18 by the Stafford Garden Club. With assistance from Putnam Boy Scout Troops 25 and 66, led by Corina Torrey and Missy Ericson, a tree was planted in Putnam’s Municipal Park on April 25. The Ashford Garden Club also planted an oak behind the old Warrenville Post Office that day.
Oaks were planted in Woodstock, Pomfret, and Killingly on April 27. Girl Scout Troop 60581, led by Kayla Noren, planted a tree on the Woodstock Common and one at Pomfret Recreational Park. Boy Scout Troop 43, led by Amy Ferland, planted a tree at Phaiah’s Dog Park in Danielson.

On April 28 the Club with the help of Boy Scout Troop 92, planted trees at the General Lyon Homestead in Natchaug Forest, Eastford and at the Chaplin firehouse in Chaplin.
On Saturday May 16 at 10 am, Boy Scout Troop 273 will assist planting a red maple at the Dudley Grange, in Dudley, MA. At 3 pm that day, Girl Scout Troop 63002 will plant an oak at Heritage Way Park, North Grosvenordale (Thompson).

The Brooklyn Elementary School will be the location for Boy Scout Troop 44 to plant an oak on Friday, May, 22, at 2 pm.

On Tuesday, May 26, Boy Scout Troop 93 will be busy planting a tree in Hampton at 6 pm, followed by a tree planting in Scotland at 7pm.

Saturday May 30 at 9 am, will find Cub Scout Troop 11 and Boy Scout Troop 54
planting an oak in Plainfield at the municipal park by Town Hall.

An oak tree will also be planted in Canterbury and in Webster, MA on dates to be determined.

The white oak was selected in part because of its long-lived nature, which symbolizes the continuing strength, endurance, resilience, and continuing growth of the United States as it celebrates 250 years as a nation and looks forward to the next 250 years.
This project also has ecological and historical significance to this area. The white oak is Connecticut’s state tree, honoring the Charter Oak, a majestic white oak that grew in the state capital of Hartford and in which American colonists hid Connecticut’s Royal
Charter in 1687, to prevent its confiscation by British authorities. A violent storm felled the Charter Oak in 1856, when it was an estimated 500-600 years old.

The public is welcome to join the fun at any or all of these plantings.

The Cheshire Nursery, in Cheshire, Connecticut assisted the Club by supplying the white oak saplings at a reduced price.