The Tree The Memorial That Lives 



Tree planting is not a thing of this year or of the 

 next. Indeed it will be well to plant the memorial tree 

 every year. The people are just awakening to the possi- 

 bilities of tree planting. The trees are monuments with 

 a meaning for they live gloriously just as did those for 

 whom they are planted. The glory is the thing to tell to 

 the world. Our sorrow is a private, personal affair and 

 needs no telling to the world in bronze or stone. Instead 

 let us plant trees to tell of their glory, for that is the way 

 they who went forth to the great adventure would 

 have it. 



And if we do not plant trees as memorials let us plant 

 them for shade, for scenic value, to beautify streets or 



lawns, for parks, and for communal woodlands. All 

 serve a purpose. 



Plant the tree with an appropriate ceremony. The 

 character of the ceremony depends upon the character 

 of the planting. If single trees or groups of memorial 

 trees are planted the program given below will be of 

 service. If roadside planting is done by a community or 

 an organization a public meeting to inaugurate the work 

 should be held and a program of appropriate addresses 

 made. If shade trees in garden or street are planted, of 

 course, no program is necessary but there should always 

 be some kind of formal ceremony when a school, a club, 

 an organization or a community participates in a planting. 



God save these trees we plant, 

 And to all nature grant 



Sunshine and rain. 

 Let not their branches fade, 

 Save them from ax and spade, 

 Save them for joy and shade 



Guarding the plain. 



I think that I shall never see 

 A poem lovely as a tree. 



A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 

 Against the earth's sweet flowing breast. 



TREE PLANTING PROGRAM 



THE PLANTING SONG 



Tune: America 



When they are ripe to fall, 

 Neighbored by trees as tall, 



Shape them for good. 

 Shape them to bench and stool, 

 Shape them to square and rule. 

 Shape them for home and school, 



God bless the wood. 



Address Upon Occasion for the Planting 

 RECITATION "TREES" 



Poem by Joyce Kilmer, Who Gave his Life in France 



A tree that looks at God all day 

 And lifts her leafy arms to pray. 



Lord of the earth and sea, 

 Prosper our planted trees. 



Save with Thy might, 

 Save us from indolence, 

 Waste and improvidence, 

 And in Thy excellence, 



Lead us aright. 



A tree that may 

 A nest of robins 



summer wear 

 her hair. 



Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 

 Who intimately lives with rain. 



Poems are made by fools like me, 

 But only God can make a tree. 



I am taught by the Oak to be rugged and 



strong 

 In defense of tht right, in defiance of wrong. 



I have learned from the Maple, that beauty 



to win 

 The love of all hearts, must have sweetness 



within. 



The Beech, with its branches wide-spreading 



and low. 

 Awakes in my heart hospitality's glow. 



The Pine tells of constancy. In its sweet 



voice, 

 It whispers of hope till sad mortals rejoice. 



The nut-bearing trees teach that 'ncath 



manners gruff 

 May be found as "sweet kernels" as in their 



caskets rough. 



Planting of the Tree or Trees 

 WHAT THE TREES TEACH US 



Fourteen Rhymes for Individual Recitations 



The Birch, in its wrappings of silvery gray, 

 Shows that beauty needs not to make gor- 

 geous display. 



The Ash, having fibres tenacious and strong, 

 Teaches me firm resistance, to battle with 

 wrong. 



The Aspen tells me with its quivering leaves, 

 To be gentle to every sad creature that 

 grieves. 



The Elm teaches me to be pliant yet true; 

 Though bowed by rude winds, it still rises 

 anew. 



The Lombardy Poplars point upward in 



praise, ' 

 My voice to kind Heaven they teach me to 



raise. 



I am taught generosity, boundless and free, 

 By showers of fruit from the dear Apple 



tree. 



The Cherry tree blushing with fruit crimson 



red, 

 Tells of God's free abundance that all may 



be fed. 



In the beautiful Linden, so fair to the sight, 

 This truth I discern: It is inwardly white 



The firm-rooted Cedars, like sentries of old. 

 Show that virtues deep-rooted may also be 

 gold. 



Address Dedication of the Tree or Trees 

 TREE PLANTING SONG 



Tune: America 



Joy for the sturdy trees, 

 Fanned by each fragrant breeze. 



Lovely they stand ! 

 The song birds o'er them trill. 

 They shade each tinkling rill, 

 They crown each swelling hill, 



Lowly or grand. 



IMant them by stream and way, 

 Plant where the children play 



And toilers rest; 

 In every verdant vale, 

 On every sunny swale 

 Whether to grow or fail, 



God knows best. 



Select the strong, the fair, 

 Plant them with earnest care, 



No toil is vain. 

 Plant in a fitter place. 

 Where, like a lovely face, 

 Let in some sweeter grace, 



Change may prove gain. 



Helen O. Hoyt. 



God will His blessing send, 

 All things on Him depend, 



His loving care 

 Clings to each leaf and flower 

 Like ivy to its tower. 

 His presence and His power 



Are everywhere. 



S, F. Smith. 



Every tree lover should be a member of the American Forestry Association, 

 to the office, Maryland Building, Washington, D. C, for particulars. 



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