By Kerri Williams

I am a tree hugger. So much so that I gave out a calendar for Christmas last year, not with the usual family photos, but with pictures of trees near our home.

A fall look at the red maple that was planted by our driveway to honor Uncle Bob.

There are apple trees, maples, walnuts, and even a flowering redbud. They look so majestic and different depending on when they are photographed – with flowers and leaf buds in spring, fully formed green leaves in the summer, the bright colors of fall, and bare branches lined with snow in the winter. They are like family members to me.  Many of the people who received the calendars felt the same way, as they “oohed” and “aahed” at each month’s tree centerfold.

Friday was Arbor Day, and the Westport Tree Board celebrated by giving away tree seedlings at Town Hall. The seedlings came with planting instructions that include preparing the soil, as well as picking the right location for sun and watering.

I have enjoyed planting seedlings and saplings in our yard through the years. The thrill of watching them grow into large trees is something that cannot be matched.

But even if you don’t get to see the tree mature, it’s still such a good feeling to plant one.  It’s why the old Greek proverb is so true: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.”

The memory of trees

Several years ago, my husband and I planted three red maple saplings lining the driveway of our home. We decided to dedicate the trees to three important people in our lives, who have sadly passed away. Two of the trees were planted in memory of each of our dads, and the third was for our Uncle Bob, a great mentor and friend.

Each tree has its own plaque, purchased on Etsy, with the name of the person and how they brought joy to our lives. We decided on placards mounted on stakes that are set in the ground before each tree.

Each time I walk down the driveway and notice the trees and their signs, I think of these men who helped us grow into the people we are today.

Another time that I marvel at the beauty of trees is when I am out walking in the woods, either at a town park or on the trails behind my own home. Trees line the trails, whether pines, maples, or oaks. They shelter the birds whose chirping brightens my hike. Trees are so easy to take for granted, yet our world would not be the same without them.

The Westport Tree Board posts educational signs on various properties in town.

Westport gives back to the trees

One way that Westport is stepping up to honor trees is by placing identification signs on many of the varieties in town parks. The Tree Board has paid $500 for the signs, which are screwed into the trees and will be maintained to accommodate tree growth.

It’s a “little way” for the Tree Board to give back to the town, according to Sarah Adair, Tree Board Chair.

So far, the signs are up at Riverside and Salmon parks and the south side of Winslow Park, Adair said. This spring and summer, more signs will be added on the north side of Winslow and at the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum, where there are none yet.

There are a few trees at all the parks that need to leaf out to be properly identified, Adair added. Those include several types of oak trees that are hard to distinguish as well as the silver and red maples.

Eventually, there will be about 20 common trees identified by the signs, which include the eastern redbud, hickory and sycamore, in addition to the Norway spruce pin oak and dogwood. Tree board members hope that families will enjoy learning more about the trees together and pass on a love of them to the next generation.

One of my favorite childhood memories involves sitting on the lowest branch of a large catalpa tree in my back yard. I would sit there often, my back pressed against the rough bark, passing a few moments daydreaming or looking around the yard. It’s something most adults (and even children) are too busy for these days.

So, however you choose to celebrate Arbor Day, don’t forget to slow down your life for just a moment to say a big thank you to the trees that enrich our lives in so many ways.

Kerri Williams is a freelance writer who has worked in journalism for years, including as a reporter for the Norwalk Hour and managing editor of the Norwalk Citizen-News. If you have pictures or ideas to share, please send her an email at cultivatingwithkerri@gmail.com.