On Monday, May 12th, at 2 PM, tree lovers will meet at Morrall Park on the corner of Craven and Carteret Streets. From there they will be given the opportunity to take the first official Beaufort Tree Walk.
Beaufort is a designated Tree City USA. To build on this reputation, the Lady’s Island Garden Club, inspired and led by President Cecile Dorr, has developed a self-guided Tree Walk, highlighting native and notable trees primarily in the historic area of The Old Point. The project is the result of three years of research and planning by the Garden Club.
Encouragement for the project came from Mayor Bill Rauch, with considerable help and expertise from City Horticulturist, Lisa Hill, and from Clemson Extension Horticulturist, Laura Lee Rose. The trail will circle through The Point, traverse the Beaufort County Library grounds, continue past the Historic Verdier House herb garden, and conclude at the Big Clock entrance to the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
The self-guided Tree Walk will be available in the future to residents and visitors with the help of a small brochure and a modified Historic Beaufort map available at the City Hall on Carteret Street, the City Planning Department in the Carnegie Building on Craven Street, the Beaufort County Library, and The Historic Beaufort Foundation in the Verdier House. To paraphrase philanthropist Warren Buffett, someone is walking in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
