At Old Haverford Friends Meeting, over April 12 and 13, volunteers planted 20 trees on the meeting’s grounds. The planting is a continuation of an ongoing effort to reimagine the land as a mini forest—one that can offer environmental benefits, habitat for wildlife, and a space for reflection.
“This is an evolving process,” said Carol Strawson, a member of Old Haverford. “Early spring and late fall are the best times to plant, so we’ll continue in phases over the next several years.”
The project started in 2024, when eight trees were planted in the fall. With this spring’s planting, 28 trees are now in the ground across two main locations: Old Haverford’s burial ground and a lot near the meetinghouse.
“We chose available spaces that could hold more life,” said Carol. “We want to increase carbon sequestration and offer more habitat. The trees are just the beginning.”
The Meeting partnered with the Haverford Township Tree Tenders—an affiliation with Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tenders—a local volunteer group led by Jeanne Angell. Jeanne, a member of Germantown Monthly Meeting and graduate of Earlham College, has coordinated the Haverford Township Tree Tenders for 15 years and helped plant over 2,000 trees across parks, public spaces, and streets in Haverford Township.
“I reached out to George Salloom from Old Haverford Meeting, who I had met at a civic leader networking event,” Jeanne said. “Together we planned a tree planting day at Old Haverford’s graveyard, which is down the street from the Meetinghouse. During the course of planning that event, George showed me the large mowed lot adjacent to the Meetinghouse that they own and told me that the Meeting was hoping to turn it into a woodland area. I was very interested in the project and offered that Haverford Tree Tenders could partner with them to purchase and plant the trees.”
For the spring 2025 planting, the Meeting and their partners chose Redbud, Virginia Pine, Serviceberry, Black Tupelo, Sweetbay Magnolia, and White Oak. The species were selected based on their value to native ecosystems, soil conditions, and availability. “Native species are more likely to thrive and offer better habitat for wildlife that have evolved with those plants,” said Carol.
Old Haverford Friends Meeting is discerning about how best to use its land. Some areas may become wooded, while others may be used as meadows. The soil—mostly clay, with some sandy areas—helps guide the decision-making process. “Both forests and meadows can sequester carbon,” said Carol. “Trees are more effective in stable climates, but grasslands can be more reliable in a changing one. We’re keeping all that in mind as we grow.”
“We are doing our part to provide an urban mini forest for relaxation and spiritual renewal,” Carol continued. “Much of our township is densely developed. This project arose out of a concern for stewardship of our land resources and our environment, along with a concern for our community, both within and around our Meeting.”
The spiritual element of the forest project is woven throughout. “You can find that of God in nature,” Carol said. “There is nothing like a walk in the woods to leave your worries behind. You feel refreshed and at peace.”
In a yearly meeting-wide effort, PYM Friends are invited to help plant 381 trees by October 25 as part of the lead-up to Climate Witness: Let Our Actions Speak! Thread Gathering Whether planting individually or with their meeting. Friends can share photos and stories on PYM Connect. Friends are encouraged to join PYM Connect now, because you will be able to find more information over the next couple days. This community effort is a commitment to stewardship, reflecting on Quakers of the past’s conservation efforts—and the need for earth care today.
