Greenfield committee partners with Deerfield church for Saturday tree planting

Pastor Liza Knapp, pictured on the steps of the First Church of Deerfield, will offer a blessing of the trees during Saturday’s planting on Woodleigh Avenue in Greenfield.

Pastor Liza Knapp, pictured on the steps of the First Church of Deerfield, will offer a blessing of the trees during Saturday’s planting on Woodleigh Avenue in Greenfield. STAFF FILE PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Staff Report

Published: 06-05-2025 12:19 PM

GREENFIELD — Members of the Greenfield Tree Committee are inviting residents to this year’s neighborhood tree planting, which is supported by a donation from the First Church of Deerfield.

The tree planting will be held on Woodleigh Avenue on Saturday, June 7, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at 25 Woodleigh Ave., though volunteers can stop by to help any time that morning.

River birch, red maple and swamp white oak are some of the native shade trees that will be planted, along with some small-stature trees such as serviceberry and hawthorn for under utility lines.

According to Tree Committee member Mary Chicoine, this year’s tree planting is special due to “the unique partnership between our committee and the First Church of Deerfield.” The church’s Missions Committee sought out an environmentally focused project to support and found the Greenfield Tree Committee’s tree planting event to be a worthwhile cause.

The First Church of Deerfield is involved in a number of benevolent activities year-round. The church also seeks to make one larger donation annually to a worthy group.

“Our congregation is most enthusiastic about this project and appreciates the focus on an Environmental Justice neighborhood like Woodleigh Avenue,” Missions Committee member Betsy Fraker said in a statement. “We are glad that our donation will fund the purchase of over 20 trees.”

Fraker added that there will be a blessing of the trees during the planting by Pastor Liza Knapp.

Susan Fisher, Woodleigh Avenue resident and Tree Committee member said in a statement, “It’s great to have so many residents in our neighborhood supportive of this project. We are looking forward to having a more beautiful, tree-lined street.”

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For more information, visit greenfieldtreecommittee.org or facebook.com/greenfieldtree.