Project Trees
Brief History:
In 1798, James Hillhouse, an entrepreneur in the early colonial times, thought the downtown square in New Haven, known as the New Haven Green, should be beautified, as it had been a central square, left vacant for grazing of animals. With the approval of the Proprietors of the Common and Undivided Lands (the Proprietors), he planted elm trees in a double colonnade fashion around the perimeter of the Green, and through the center of the Green, dividing the area into approximately two equal rectangular parcels, now bordered on the west and north by Yale University and on the east and south by downtown businesses. On the upper half are situated three lovely colonial churches in a par-like setting. New Haven over time came to e known as “The Elm City.” Natural attrition, the hurricane of ’38, and then the Dutch elm beetle destroyed most of the wonderful elm trees which had provided a cathedral-like canopy over the streets surrounding the Green. In 1983, the Garden Club of New Haven, working in conjunction with the city and the Proprietors of the Green, took on the project of restoring the elms to their previous glory. It was a civic, horticultural as well as historic restoration and preservation project---one which very clearly and broadly addresses our purpose. The project consisted of raising funds ($100,000) to design and replant the Green with elm trees, as had been done in 1798. At two different dates 76 elms, 19 dogwoods, and 2 specimen trees were planted at a cost of approximately $70,000. With the best of advice, a fund was created at the New Haven Foundation (with a one for two donation from the Foundation---starting with our $30,000 and their $15,000 for a total of $45,000). This account would become an “endowment in perpetuity fund” for the maintenance and replacement of the trees. Further, this account would grow so as to accommodate seed money for future horticultural projects. The GCNH would receive an annual interest from the Foundation for the care and maintenance of the trees (water, spraying, pruning, and replacement as needed). Over time, the Foundation account grew to today’s balance of $136,000, with approximately a 5% interest of $6,800 annually.
WHY DID WE CHOOSE TO DO IT?
The project was more than just addressing our purpose. It was the beginning of the regentrification of downtown New Haven, and we were honored to be part of the process. We also felt we could and did make a difference and would leave a legacy or the city from the Garden Club of New Haven.
HOW DID WE DO IT?
Two marvelous events were held---first, a cocktail party at the Beinecke Library to introduce the project to the community and to celebrate those wonderful donors who supported us, at a formal event with a lovely program listing all who were part of the project. There were two flower shows---Scene on the Green in 1983 and in 1987, Edgerton, a Park for All Seasons, with a wonderful preview party, cocktail buffet with boutique and auction. It raised over $25,000! The boutique had many member-made items which were produced over many workshops with lots of fun. In total:
1984 Planted 52 elms on the Green
1986 Planted 25 elms, 19 dogwoods, 2 specimen trees on the Green
raised the final $100,000, our goal for the project
created the tree fund at the New Haven Foundation
WHAT WERE THE DIFFICULTIES?
IN CLUB---First, the club was resistant to another large horticultural project in the downtown area. The Phelps Triangle was a prominent project and did we need another one? How could we possibly raise the $$that was needed and would it be a drain on our funds over time to care for the trees? Wasn’t this a project for the Proprietors, or the city? And why were they not doing it? It is hard enough to get volunteers to work ant the Triangle; who would care for the trees? How can we afford it? Lots of negative thoughts which just made us work all the harder. We really had to sell the Garden Club on the idea, and I think there are some who just did and even now do not understand it. The Project Trees committee initially consisted of Jan Sleeper, Joyce Harris, Betsy Babbitt, Barby Brink and myself---a rather small committee, but one which grew as the acceptance of the project became a reality.
INTOWN---Perhaps the most difficult hurdle was the Proprietors. First, the Green was their territory and their responsibility, which naturally they took very seriously. We had to design a “near perfect” project in order to satisfy the wants and desires of the Proprietors and the city. Designing such a project took extensive and careful study making sure all the i’s and t’s were dotted and crossed. Bob Gregan, landscape architect for the city, came up with the plan, the design, worked with the landscapers and nurseries, and helped us to locate the trees. Pale Johnson, president of CNB, came up with the idea of the perpetuity endowment fund and actually made it possible for the project to be accepted by the Proprietors, the New Haven Foundation, and the city. He empowered us!! His idea insured the future and undertaking of this nature. Paul Walgren of Walgren nurseries was the man we contacted for all tree questions, for care, for treatment, for location of replacements, for everything. He was our eyes on the Green---watching and caring for “our babies.” He made our success a reality.
FUNNIEST MOMENT
Barby Brink’s photo in the Sunday New York Times Connecticut section. She is pointing to a tree, and it was later pointed out that this was not an elm tree.
PROUDEST MOMENT
Thirty years later and still growing. Today is the proudest moment---to be able to tell you the story of Project Trees---to know that it was once just an idea that now has become a most successful reality. To know that future horticultural projects will be born from this funding with a good probability of success. Our Project Trees has become the “money tree” for newer and future GCNH projects. New Haven was once known as the “City of Elms,” and Project Trees made possible the reclamation of its name and glory. It is a fine legacy to the city from the Garden Club of New Haven.
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