A tree grows at Sherwood Regional Library — thanks to the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Assoc.; Lancaster Farms; Village Turf, Inc., and Fairfax County Facilities Management. As part of Mount Vernon Green Day 2005, a “Red Sunset” maple tree now graces the front of the library.
While the planting had to be delayed, the ceremony was held as planned; it was just held indoors instead of outdoors. Lou Kobus, president, Mount Vernon Community Coalition, Inc., welcomed guests and then turned it over to Elizabeth Waller, Fairfax County Public Library branch coordinator.
On hand for the event were several students from Fort Hunt Elementary School’s sixth grade class. They had written poems for Arbor Day and three of them were read by the authors. All of the poems are contained in a book which will be displayed in Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland’s office for all to enjoy. He dedicated the tree for the ceremony.
Original Poetry:
”Tree Poem” by Brian Fitzsimmons
I have a dogwood tree
That looks through my window at me.
Its branches sway back and forth
It’s very easy to see.
In summer, the leaves turn grassy green.
In fall, they’re warm colors, it’s a beautiful scene.
In winter they’re no leaves to see
In spring, they return, to my glee.
The tree is a giver
And we are the taker.
It gives oxygen
Yet we don’t pay her.
If there were no trees to give us air
This world of ours would not be as fair.
You kindly give shelter to birds and more
Your leaves for caterpillars are food galore.
Your mighty roots spread through the ground
As you sit upon a mound.
And as you rot into dust
Remember your glorious beauty, you must.
And as the squirrels chip away
I know you’ll be back another day.
“Tree” by Suzy Kirby
She’s long and tall and slim
And beautiful as can be
She’s quite a sight to behold
She’s no other than a tree.
As the years go by she grows
Taller towards the sky
Her branches long and graceful
Get stronger by and by.
In winter she wears
A glittering coat of white
That twinkles in the daytime
And under moonlight.
In spring she’s covered in flowers
And smells so fresh and sweet
She becomes the home of any bird
That she happens to meet.
Summer is another tale
As she cradles in her arms
Apples, cherries and other fruits
That adds those special charms
Once autumn comes along
Her leaves die and fade away
But she patiently waits for
Them to come another day.
No matter the weather or how she looks
It’s just so plain to see
She’ll always be a beauty
She’ll always be a tree.
“Wonders” by Laura Reynolds
When people describe wonders they think of elegance
Statues of gold or marble, for instance
They rant and rave about those things that they see
But what they really need to look closely at is a tree.
Trees are the best wonders of all
Their branches bend and wave and seem like they’ll fall
But really they’ve moving nature’s great pattern
Just like the planets, including Saturn.
Trees’ blossoms may be the prettiest of all
Or maybe their leaves when red and gold in Fall
Or possibly in Winter, when draped in snow
But in all seasons of the year, there is one thing I know.
Trees have great roots that go down low
And towering branches that the breeze does blow
And when I see a tree that is tall or small
I know that trees are the greatest wonders of all.