Ask Stewart: Tree Stewards Prepare to Celebrate 30 Years of Caring for Our Community

Hey Stewart,

I enjoy reading your articles. How long has the Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards been around?

Connie

Dear Connie,

Thanks for writing! I’m glad you enjoy my articles.

The Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards have been growing strong since 1997, and we’re getting ready to celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2027!

It all started as a joint project between the Parks and Recreation Department, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners, and the Beautification of Front Royal Committee.

The first training class was funded by a grant from the Virginia Urban Forest Council and was held on Monday evenings for 10 weeks at the Youth Center.

Those early volunteers learned the basics of tree biology, how to identify different species, and the proper ways to plant, prune, and care for trees. But becoming a Tree Steward meant more than learning about trees. It meant making a commitment to protecting and improving our community forest.

Where It All Began

The first class graduated 14 Tree Stewards: Frank Baxter, Skip Bowling, Peg Buterbaugh, Nancy Chapman, Paul Dixon, Kevin Flickinger, Tammi Gibbs (Town Horticulturist), Maria Harrison, Mike Kenyon, Louise Labarca, Dan Lenz, Kaycee Lichliter, Katie Sullivan, and Bob Swortzel.

Those 14 volunteers planted the roots of an organization that continues to serve our community nearly three decades later.

Every year since, the Tree Stewards have offered training opportunities for residents interested in learning more about trees and helping care for them.

Our public education efforts also have a long history. The first Tree Stewards newspaper column, called “Tree Talk,” appeared in September 1997.

And guess what? Your favorite squirrel joined the fun in 2005!

That’s when “Ask Stewart” made its debut, answering questions about trees and sharing helpful information with readers throughout the community.

Making Front Royal a Greener Place

Over the years, the Tree Stewards have become an important part of keeping Front Royal and Warren County beautiful.

Our volunteers contribute more than 2,000 hours annually to tree care, education, planting, pruning, and maintenance.

We’ve also helped Front Royal maintain its recognition as a Tree City USA community for more than 25 years.

One of our biggest early accomplishments was helping coordinate the initial plans for the Greenway Trail, which now winds approximately five miles through the community.

The Tree Stewards also maintain the Happy Creek Arboretum, where visitors can enjoy and learn about a variety of trees and shrubs.

Throughout the years, our volunteers have planted, distributed, pruned, and mulched trees across Front Royal and Warren County. From neighborhood streets to public parks and schools, those efforts have helped create a healthier and more beautiful community forest.

And we’re still growing!

Thirty Years Deserves Thirty Trees!

To celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2027, the Tree Stewards are planning to plant 30 trees around local schools.

It’s a fitting birthday present to our community, and one that will continue growing for generations to come.

But there’s something else we’d love for our anniversary: more people joining us!

If you’ve ever wondered how to properly plant a tree, identify the trees in your backyard, or help care for the trees in our parks and neighborhoods, the Tree Stewards would love to meet you.

Our annual training program is open to anyone interested in learning more about trees, and our monthly volunteer work sessions offer opportunities to get involved.

You don’t have to be a tree expert. Just bring your curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a love for our community.

After all, the Tree Stewards started with a small group of neighbors who wanted to make a difference.

Thirty years later, those roots are still growing.

And Connie, I can guarantee you’ll have a TREE-mendous time!

Your Pal in the Trees,

Stewart the Squirrel

Stewart the Squirrel is the mascot of the Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards, a volunteer organization formed in 1997 to promote the health of trees throughout our community. Stewart answers readers’ tree-related questions twice a month in the Royal Examiner. To learn more about the Tree Stewards, visit www.treesfrontroyal.org.