The Town of Smithtown to Plant a Dawn Redwood in Memorial Planting Ceremony, Honoring Those Lost to Covid-19 in the Community
Smithtown Residents are invited to attend a ceremonial tree planting at Moriches Park in St. James, honoring all lost to Covid-19 within the community. The memorial ceremony, hosted by Town Officials, Department of Environment and Waterways, Town Foresters, and the Parks Department, will take place on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021 at 10 AM inside the recently renovated Veterans Memorial Park on Moriches Road. All who lost loved ones or friends to Covid-19 are welcome to attend.
The memorial tree is a four-inch caliper Dawn Redwood, boasting stunning red foliage in the Fall. The tree was selected by the Department of Environment and Waterways Foresters (certified arborists) under the direction of David Barnes, who is also a renowned Landscape Architect. When we plant a tree, not only are we remembering the past, but we are planting hope for the future. The Covid-19 Memorial Tree was funded through a Tree City USA Reward Grant. In addition to the tree planting, the memorial will include a permanent plaque which was donated by the Town of Smithtown.
The Town of Smithtown has maintained the title of Tree City USA for 35 years and was recently recognized with a ‘Growth Award’ by the Arbor Day Foundation for Street Tree Care. Since 2020, the Town has inventoried 10,000 street trees, or 20% of the town’s estimated 50,000 total street tree census. The Town of Smithtown has planted 1,250 trees since 2019, and has been recognized by the media for proactive management of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive species which feeds on specific trees.
For questions or more information regarding the town’s forestry program, to request a planting or maintenance, please contact the department during office hours at 631-360-7514.
Veterans Memorial Park is located on Moriches Road, just south of Mills Pond Road in St. James.