Tree Planting

On April 30, 2005, in celebration of Arbor Day, Plumstead Township planted a Northern Red Oak Tree at Owl's Nest Park in honor of my service to the Township. I can't think of a better tribute or a more fitting legacy than a tree. And there's no finer tree to plant than an oak. Oak trees not only delight people with their beauty and longevity; they also have unsurpassd wildlife value. Acorns are eaten by squirrels, mice, songbirds, turkeys, and deer, among others. (Native Americans boiled the nuts and ground them to make flour; I know from personal experience that they do make a fine muffin). In the spring, the oak's flowers (catkins) attract insects and their larvae,which in turn provide food for the nestlings of breeding birds.

USDA profile for Quercus rubra, the Red Oak.

At the ceremony, I read an essay that I'd written on planting trees. The essay was printed in the Bucks County Herald issue of May 12, 2005, and is now available in a limited edition chapbook form for $4. Email me to purchase at susan@susancharkes.com.

The Tree (front and center). Behind are me and (to my right) the current Chair of the EAC, Dianne Mill. Behind us are (right to left) Kim Troup (EAC), Herb Hickmott (EAC), Housley Carr (Board of Supervisors), Frank Froio (Chair, Board of Supervisors), Andy Thomas (EAC), Wes Hendricks (EAC) (hidden; only hat visible); Vince Formica (Secretary-Treasurer, Board of Supervisors), Chuck Lutz (EAC), Michael May, Director of Land Use and Preservation; Carolyn Corey Jarin, Director of Peace Valley Nature Center. Thanks to Elizabeth Sunday, Township Manager for taking this picture.