JFK Groves planted by Texas Trees Foundation

Nov. 13, 2013

By Phillip Shinoda

On a brisk, windy but sunny Nov. 2 at Friendship Park in Dallas about 50 volunteers planted a grove of 50 trees in memory of President John F. Kennedy. Texas Trees Foundation partnered with seven area communities - Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Arlington, Grand Prairie and Denton -  to plant seven such tree groves. It's part of an effort to offset the 301 million trees lost in 2011-2012 due to the drought. Their goal is to plant 2,000 trees as part of the Tree North Texas initiative.  

City Forester Karen Woodard and 15 of her citizen foresters provided direction to the volunteers. The task was greatly aided by Dallas and Garland Parks Departments that dug the holes and placed the trees with the help of a tractor.

     
Left, Garland City Councilmen Scott Lemay; John Willi, Celine Cardonis from sponsor Atmos Energy; Jannette Monear, president of the Texas Trees Foundation; and Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen.
Right, Texas Trees Foundation's Jannette Monear addresses the volunteers. Afterwards, Matt Grubisich, operations director & urban forester instructed the volunteers on tree planting. All Photos: Phillip Shinoda.

                           

Left, Scouts Alex Lesher, Regio Velasco and Mathew Jeffcoat from Troop #57 presented the Colors      
Right, Amanda, Jeff and Franklin from State Farm's Green Neighbors initiative.

                        
Left, A citizen forester shows how to loosen the roots to let the tree grow better. 
Right, Volunteers determine if the tree is planted at the proper depth. 

                          
Left, Teacher and students from Science Academy Charter School planted several trees.
Right, Girl Scouts  from Lakehill School Troop 676 fill in the space around a tree.


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