PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, N.J. (Morris County) — Thirteen trees representing the original American colonies were planted at Central Park of Morris County on Thursday as part of a Constitution Day ceremony commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The Grove of 13 planting was organized by the Morris County Park Commission and the New Jersey Arborists Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. The ceremony was held Sept. 17, the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Morris County had previously announced the public planting ceremony as part of its America 250 programming.
The trees were planted near the park’s cross-country course and were donated and installed by Cerbo’s Hampton Nursery of Hampton Township.
“It’s fitting that we’re planting 13 trees on Constitution Day as we celebrate our nation’s Semiquincentennial,” Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw said. “These 13 trees — one for each original colony — remind us of where our nation began and of our responsibility to think beyond our own lifetimes.”
Each of the 13 colonies is represented by a different species of tree. The plantings include a black gum for Virginia, Patriot elm for Massachusetts, river birch for New Hampshire, sugar maple for New York, bur oak for Maryland, white oak for Connecticut, tulip poplar for Rhode Island, redbud for Delaware, dogwood for New Jersey, Southern magnolia for South Carolina, bald cypress for North Carolina, American sycamore for Pennsylvania and willow oak for Georgia.
“Today’s event is the culmination of a year’s worth of collaboration between the Park Commission and the NJAISA,” said Morris County Park Commission Executive Director Dave Helmer. “I would like to thank the board and members of the NJAISA for selecting Central Park of Morris County for today’s Grove of 13 planting. The 13 trees planted today will be a defining symbol of the 250th anniversary of this country.”
Helmer also highlighted historical connections associated with several of the trees. The Eastern redbud representing Delaware was propagated from a tree at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Attendees also received black gum seedlings to plant at home.
During the event, Shaw also announced the launch of a new interactive ArcGIS StoryMap, “Morris County & the Census,” created by the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation. The online project traces the county’s population and community growth from the first federal census in 1790 to the present. The county separately announced the StoryMap on Sept. 17.
“There may have been more trees per person back in 1790, but we have been working very hard to keep Morris County green,” Director Shaw said. “Since 1994, the county commissioners (and former freeholders) have preserved more than 18,400 acres of open space through the Morris County Open Space Preservation Trust Fund. Our Park Commission also oversees more than 20,500 acres, giving residents plenty of room to enjoy nature.”
Central Park of Morris County was dedicated in 2008 and encompasses 420 acres with 11.7 miles of recreational trails, according to the county. The park draws approximately 540,000 visitors annually.
The Morris County Park Commission, which is marking its 70th anniversary this year, oversees 20,520 acres of parkland, 39 recreational facilities and 265 miles of trails.
