Moorestown Tree Planting and Preservation Committee

04/25/2026

A special thanks to Ms Dishong and the third graders at Mary Roberts elementary school.

04/25/2026

It was a beautiful day at Strawbridge Lake, perfect for celebrating the town’s 36th Arbor Day! The Moorestown Tree Planting and Preservation committee thanks all our attendees and participants! 

04/23/2026

Don’t forget Arbor Day is this Friday, April 24th! Join us at Strawbridge Lake starting at 10am near the Bears (parking available at Haines Park). A Jefferson elm will be planted and there will be a small ceremony that will include the Mary Roberts school’s third graders.

02/11/2026

Since February is the month of love (Valentine’s Day!),it seems fitting to submit a poem expressing one man’s love of trees.

This poem, Salute to the Trees, was written by Henry Van D**e. He was born to Henry Jackson Van D**e, a Presbyterian clergyman, and Henrietta Ashmead in Germantown, Philadelphia. He graduated from Princeton and was eventually hired as an English professor at the university. Later, he was appointed by friend and former classmate, Woodrow Wilson, to be ambassador to the Netherlands and Luxembourg in 1913.

Salute to the Trees by Henry Van D**e

Many a tree is found in the wood
And every tree for its use is good:
Some for the strength of the gnarled root,
Some for the sweetness of flower or fruit;
Some for shelter against the storm,
And some to keep the hearth-stone warm;
Some for the room, and some for the beam;
And some for a boat to breast the stream;
In the wealth of the wood since the world began
The trees have offered their gifts to man.

But the glory of trees is more than their gifts;
‘Tis a beautiful wonder of life that lifts,
From a wrinkled seed in an earth-bound clod,
A column, an arch in the temple of God,
A pillar of power, a dome of delight,
A shrine of song, and a joy of sight!
Their roots are the nurses of rivers in birth;
Their leaves are alive with the breath of the earth;
They shelter the dwellings of man; and they bend
O’er his grave with the look of a loving friend.

I have camped in the whispering forest of pines,
I have slept in the shadow of olives and vines;
In the knees of an oak, at the foot of a palm
I have found good rest and slumber’s balm,
And now, when the morning gilds the boughs
Of the vaulted elm at the door of my house,
I open the window and make salute;
“God bless thy branches and feed thy root!
Thou hast lived before, live after me,
Thou ancient, friendly, faithful tree.”

01/13/2026

Health Benefits of Trees

We are in the depths of winter in New Jersey and many people get the winter blues. Many factors contribute to this…lack of sunlight, cold weather, holiday stress, but for me, I miss the leafy green trees that surround our community. Unfortunately, I have to wait a few more months for the trees to start leafing out but thankfully, I know our trees are continuously providing numerous benefits for our mental and physical health.

Along with lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and improving our mood, trees also remove pollutants from the air. Carbon dioxide and particulate matter are dangerous to our environment as well as our health, causing lung problems, increased risk of glaucoma and heart attacks. Trees help to reduce exposure to these toxic materials as well as filtering out heavy metals from groundwater and soil.

Due to its cooling shade, trees help absorb the heat which in the summer, can prevent heat related deaths. In fact studies have found that areas with more trees can have a decreased temperature of 10 degrees fahrenheit than those without trees. Trees also invite people to get out and walk or exercise…parks, forests and nature preserves all foster a desire to engage with nature and this engagement leads to healthier humans.

In hospitals, trees can help patients recover faster if they have a view of trees from their window, and studies found that viewing trees and nature for less than 5 minutes reduced anger, anxiety and pain. Researchers also looked at people with low social connectedness and found that those with high levels of nature nearby reported higher levels of well-being than those without access to nature.

So when spring inevitably rolls around and the leaves start popping, remember to thank your trees for their efforts in keeping you happy and healthy!

07/08/2025

With summer temperatures in the nineties, many seek refuge in the shade of a tree. Here are some tips to keep your trees looking healthy so you can enjoy them for decades.
* Firstly, plant the proper tree in the right spot…do you have wires above? Are there pipes underground? You can call 811 and have someone come to your home and mark your pipes to ensure there aren’t future problems.
* When you plant the tree, make sure you mulch properly. The mulch should look like a “donut” with the tree in the middle. When mulch is piled against the trunk it can girdle the roots and create a breeding ground for insects, diseases and decay.
* Next and most important…water, water, water. Young trees are stressed and need constant watering until established. An easy way to do this is to buy a slow release tree bag that you can fill up about once a week.
* As the tree ages, make minimal pruning…are there branches crossing? Is there a diseased, dead or broken branch? Remove these for a healthier tree.
* Finally, be aware of changes in your tree. Are there holes in the trunk? Are the leaves looking yellow or rusting not due to change of seasons? Is there peeling bark? Fungi or mushrooms at the base? There are ways to treat pests and diseases that will save your tree.

With proper planting and maintenance, trees can give us years of enjoyment.

06/13/2025

Recently at Strawbridge Lake, a Bald Cypress was planted and a memorial plaque placed for Jay Hartman a 14 year member of the Tree Planting and Preservation Committee. His dedication to and appreciation of trees was evident in his numerous volunteer efforts. His wisdom, wit and enthusiasm will be fondly remembered.

If you are interested in a memorial tree, please email [email protected] for more information.

04/26/2025

It was a beautiful day to celebrate another successful Arbor Day on Friday. This celebration helps our town maintain Tree City USA status. This year will be our 35th year! Thank you to all the participants!

04/22/2025

April 25th is Arbor Day! The Moorestown Tree Committee has received 300 trees that we are giving to Moorestown residents for free! The annual Arbor Day ceremony will be held at Perkins Arboretum in Moorestown this Friday at 10 AM. The trees which include oak, pine, persimmon and white dogwood will be given away. All are welcome to join us on Friday to celebrate this precious resource…trees! If you can’t join us for Arbor Day, trees will also be given out at Town Hall from 9 to 11 AM on Saturday. Help us give these trees a good home🙂

01/12/2025