After a few weather-related delays (April showers brought May showers), Clinton’s Tree Committee planted a London plane tree on the grounds of the Abraham Pierson School to celebrate Arbor Day. This year’s planting marks the group’s 15th since 2001.

“Our very first Arbor Day planting was at the Pierson School, so it’s nice to be back,” says committee secretary Beth Critchley, who has been a member since 2004. Though rain prevented the group from holding the ceremony outdoors, an indoor presentation included an Arbor Day proclamation by First Selectman Bruce Farmer as well as an introduction to the Tree Committee, a description of the new tree, and tips on tree planting and maintenance.

“It was a large group, with several classes,” said Critchley. “We all stressed that the children should be good stewards of the trees in Clinton.”

The Tree Committee, also known as Our Town Trees, first met informally in 1996 and was given official status by a town ordinance in 1998.

“Since then,” Critchley said, “the committee has met regularly to promote the preservation of the many extraordinary specimen trees on public property in Clinton, as well as to initiate and supervise the planting of new trees on town-owned property. Part of our mission is also to educate the citizens of Clinton the proper planting of and care of trees. Trees have been planted in various locations around town throughout the years.”

Some trees planted stand as living tributes to Clinton residents who have passed.

Critchley said the London plane tree, this year’s pick—and a favorite over the years—is a hybrid that originated in London in 1645. Thought to be a cross between the Oriental plane tree and American sycamore, the hardy specimen is a popular choice in urban settings.

“It’s an excellent shade tree whose seed balls are used as food by birds and squirrels. We’ve planted several around town. It’s a strong tree that tolerates salt, wind, and drought conditions. Because of our proximity to Long Island Sound, these are important considerations,” she said. “An excellent specimen is at the Clinton Town Beach, at the far end of the parking lot. It’s thriving there, even under adverse growing conditions.”

On May 3, Grove Gardens Landscaping dug a spot for the tree at the edge of the Pierson School parking lot, near the Food for All pantry garden. Though it now stands somewhere between 12 and 15 feet tall, Pierson’s new tree is expected to reach a height of 75 feet at full maturity in about 15 to 20 years.

15 Years of Tree Stewardship

A timeline of the Clinton Tree Committee’s Arbor Day plantings, including the year, species, and location, looks like this:

2001: Dawn redwood at the Abraham Pierson School, donated by

the Richards Family

2002: Crabapple at the Joel School

2003: Kousa dogwood at Henry Carter Hull Library

2004: Redbud at the Jared Eliot School

2005: Pin oak at the Clinton Police Station in memory of

Lorraine Joel

2006: Redbud at Henry Carter Hull Library in memory of

Ed Hidek (replanted in 2013)

2007: London plane tree at Clinton Town Beach

2008: Pink dogwood at the Clinton Volunteer Fire Station in

memory of Hugh Allen

2009: London plane tree at Indian River Recreational Complex

2010: Gingko at Indian River Recreational Complex, donated by

the Clinton Rotary Club

2011: White dogwood at the Clinton Police Station

2012: Yellow magnolia at the Chamber of Commerce, donated by

the Clinton Rotary Club

2013: Blue spruce at the Chamber of Commerce, donated by

Gary Bousquet

2014: Blue spruce at the Community Center, donated by

Arbor Garden Club

2016: London plane tree at Pierson School, donated by Lynn Davis