Site Logo

American Elm Heritage Project Dedication

Published 1:30 am Thursday, May 5, 2022

Shirley Lorentz, US Forest Service, describes the process of planting the two elms that will call Tillicum Park home. City of Forks crew members had prepared the area and Lorentz was assisted in planting by Matt Perry, WA - DNR. No watering was needed …it started raining just as the planting began. Two additional Elms were also planted near the Forks Elementary School.
1/3

Shirley Lorentz, US Forest Service, describes the process of planting the two elms that will call Tillicum Park home. City of Forks crew members had prepared the area and Lorentz was assisted in planting by Matt Perry, WA - DNR. No watering was needed …it started raining just as the planting began. Two additional Elms were also planted near the Forks Elementary School.

Shirley Lorentz, US Forest Service, describes the process of planting the two elms that will call Tillicum Park home. City of Forks crew members had prepared the area and Lorentz was assisted in planting by Matt Perry, WA - DNR. No watering was needed …it started raining just as the planting began. Two additional Elms were also planted near the Forks Elementary School.
Signage describing the American Elm Project is located at Tillicum Park just before the play equipment. The artwork was done by local artist Carol Simons and the stand the sign sits on was created by Hickory’s Welding Service of Forks; complete with metal elm leaf sprigs at the base. After the unveiling on Friday Carol is seen here with Cynthia Bork who spearheaded the Elm project in Forks.
At the podium Master of Ceremonies Marianne Burton, with Michael Trebert DAR, welcomed about 30 people to the American Elm dedication on Friday afternoon at Tillicum Park. Seated at the front are (L-R) Cynthia Bork, Shirley Lorentz, Rod Fleck, and General George Washington. Washington was quite entertaining! Photos Christi Baron

The Michael Trebert Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is conducting the American Elm Heritage Project in Forks, Sequim and Port Angeles. The project is part of the celebration planning for the upcoming 250th Anniversary, in 2026, of our nation’s founding.

The community of Forks was first to participate in the project and the Forks leg of the elm planting activity was spearheaded by Cynthia Bork, with ongoing plantings scheduled in Sequim in 2022-2023 and Port Angeles in 2023-2024.

Each of the cities’ projects will culminate on Arbor Day in April, with a commemorative planting of an elm sapling and placement of an interpretative sign that highlights events of the Revolutionary War and the importance of restoring American Elm in our nation.

The Forks ceremony took place at noon on Friday at Tillicum Park as four Elms were planted in our community. Junior American Citizens of Clallam County provided the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Rod Fleck, City of Forks attorney/planner offered a few words about the occasion, and ‘General George Washington’ shared information about the American Revolution.

Michael Trebert is a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. In addition to the American Elm Heritage Project, the Michael Trebert Chapter also supports Junior American Citizens and Wreaths Across America.

You Might Like