Recently the world stopped, or at least slowed down, to mourn the loss of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Her death, and indeed her life, was a tribute to those around the globe whom she served. It is estimated that 11.4 million people in the United States alone watched her funeral on television. It was the single most watched event in television history. We collectively gathered to pay tribute to her innumerable contributions for the last 70 years to the environment, faith organizations, sports clubs, health care organizations and the arts.
The citizens of the United Kingdom are being encouraged to plant trees in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. Over 1 million trees have been planted with many more expected.
While obviously on a much smaller scale, we too have the opportunity to honor our loved ones by planting a tree in their memory. This Sunday, members of my family will gather to honor a beloved cousin. Prayer, kind words, and shared memories will bind us for a few hours. The tree however will grow for generations in honor of a person whose positive influence will not soon be forgotten.
The Huntley Park District Memorial Tree Program is available to residents as a way to honor a friend or family member. Wesley Peete, the Director of Parks and Facilities, is available to assist residents who are interested in this program. Maple and Oak trees are available for a purchase price of approximately $250-$475. The tree is then planted in one of the many parks throughout the village. Memorial Flower Gardens and Benches are also available as a way to incorporate nature into a fitting tribute to a loved one. Wesley may be contacted by email at wpeete@huntleyparks.org or by calling 847-669-3180.
The Big Woods: Tree Donation program is organized by the McHenry County Conservation District. A $50 donation will allow the district to purchase 2 native shrubs to be planted on their property. Those who make a donation can participate in a planting party that is usually held in mid October. More information is available at www.mchenryconservation.org/ or by calling 815-678-4532.
The Kane County Forest Preserve also has a way for citizens to donate an item in honor of a loved one. They have a Memorial Bench Program. Information is available by calling 630-232-5980 and speaking with Britney in the Community Affairs department. Spending time in nature is a gift. Through the donation of a bench, you will be allowing someone to enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet outdoors.
Trees in Memory is a program run by the Arbor Day Foundation. The donated trees can be planted in national forests throughout the United States. More information is available at www.arborday.org.
While I never had the incredible honor of meeting Her Majesty, I did meet her daughter in law, Diana, Princess of Wales. When the Princess of Wales died, I remember having this very strong feeling that I should be nicer to people because the world had just lost a really kind human being. Granted I was literally unloading landscape debris out of the back of a pickup truck at the time, but her death just made me sad. Queen Elizabeth’s death, while unfortunate, has the ability to inspire us all to do just a little bit more to honor all of those who have passed before us.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
