Trees Planted for Special Purposes - Part 1
 | Author:
Patrick Plantenberg, Tree Board Chair
Townsend Tree Board Chair, Townsend Rotary Club |
Trees Planted for Special Purposes - Part 1
Patrick Plantenberg
Tree Board Chair
This is the first of a series of articles about trees planted in Townsend and Broadwater County to honor people, special events, or for other purposes. The Tree Board hopes people will come forward with more information on other trees planted on public as well as private property so the tree and its purpose can be documented.
The Townsend Tree Board has planted many trees over 33 years along with other groups to honor loved ones, special events, and for other special purposes. These special trees, mostly paid for by donations, have helped the community diversify our urban trees and add personal and historical interest to our community forest.
These articles will report on the purpose of the planting and the status of the tree. Many trees have been lost due to new construction, winter kill, injuries, disease and insects, vandalism, etc. The Tree Board would like to replant as many of the trees lost as possible in the coming years. The Tree Board plans to put together a Memorial Tree Trail through the county that people can follow using their cell phones.
1) Malus species ‘Starlight x Jeflite’, Starlight Crabapple; planted at the Townsend Elementary School, 201 N Spruce Street; 2008 Arbor Day Tree.
• A burning bush tree (Euonymus alatus) was planted on April 25, 2008, by Cecelia Hazelton Elementary School 5th grade students to honor the 2008 Arbor Day poster contest winners: 1st) Jaden Sparrow, 2nd) Madison Robischon, and 3rd) Elizabeth Holland.
Jaden’s teacher was Mrs. Aubra Lewis. The tree was paid for by an MT DNRC Arbor Day Grant. The tree was vandalized and died from winter injury in 2018. The Tree Board replanted a Starlight crabapple in 2019. The crabapple tree is one of the few trees that survived the new school construction in 2022 and is recovering from the construction disturbance.
2) Sorbus americana, American Mountain Ash; planted in Heritage Park.
• The memorial tree was planted in 2009 in the northeast corner of the playground by the spring-mounted toys to honor Herb and Martha Sprout by Rotary Club members and the Tree Board. The tree is still alive and being treated for fireblight to keep it healthy.
3) Picea pungens, Colorado Blue Spruce; planted at the Broadwater County Museum, 133 N Walnut Street.
• The memorial tree was planted in 1993 in memory of Frank Flynn, a quiet man from the country with a strong character and deep roots. The tree was planted on the north side of the museum by the Flynn family. The tree is alive and doing well.
4) Aesculus x carnea ‘Ft. McNair’, Ft. McNair Red Horsechestnut; planted on the boulevard at 100 N Oak Street south of Doc Campbell’s Medical Clinic.
• The tree was planted in 2006 and died from the historic October 2009 frost. The tree was replanted on May 13, 2013, as a memorial tree for John T. Flynn, County Attorney, 1978-2012, and member of the BCHS Class of 1970. Planted by the family, friends, and the Tree Board. The tree was paid for by a Broadwater County PILT Tree Board Grant. The tree suffered minor dieback in the winter of 2018-2019. It is in fair condition and being monitored by the Tree Board.
5) Fraxinus pennsylvanica ‘Patmore’, Patmore Green Ash; planted on City property at 300 N Cherry Street.
• The memorial tree was planted in May 2007 to honor Eldin (Moose) Herbst, father to six great kids. Thank you, Moose, from the Broadwater County 4-H. The tree was planted by 4-H Club members and the Tree Board. Tree funded by a National 4-H Council Deft, Inc. grant. The tree is in good condition.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Pat Plantenberg
Image 1 Caption: 30 year old Frank Flynn Memorial tree, north of the Museum
Photo Credits: Pat Plantenberg
