To imagine Chatham without trees you need only go back to photos from the early 1900s. Many of the trees in Chatham’s parks, streetscapes, and neighborhoods today were planted decades ago by caring citizens who understood their value and who cared to leave something for future generations to enjoy. A tree is a living legacy.

There is a story told by John F. Kennedy, about the great French Marshall Lyautey, who once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, “In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!"

Since our inception in 1978, Friends of Trees has planted hundreds of trees in memory of our citizens’ loved ones in Chatham’s parks and public places. If you are interested in working with us to plant a tree in someone’s memory, click here to send us an email with your phone number and we’ll contact you. We will work with you and the Town about an appropriate location, help select the right species of tree, plant it, and install an embossed bronze plaque recognizing your loved one.