VisionPoint Plants Oaks in Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Back at our VisionPoint Marketing Fall Summit, we decided giving back to our community is paramount and something to incorporate into our monthly group activity. Our first volunteer activity — planting 12 oak trees at the Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina for the nonprofit group Trees Across Raleigh felt profoundly good, rewarding and was fun too. Click here to see more photos.
A motivational speech
We gathered on a Monday November morning to hear Joe Freed, the general manager, deliver a monumental speech. He thanked all volunteers for coming to plant trees and explained why this meant so much.
Historic Oakwood Cemetery is Raleigh’s oldest, private nonprofit cemetery and home to 21,000 burials, Freed said. The trees planted within the cemetery have therefore been around for 250 years, living through all the nation’s presidents and all its wars. He also told us 16 trees were blown down by April’s tornado and while several have been replanted, the cemetery still needs 12 more. “By planting oaks for our cemetery today, you are helping make history and planting trees to be enjoyed 250 years from now.”
No further motivation was needed. We grabbed our shovels, gloves and got busy. First we received a crash course from Trees Across Raleigh on how to plant a tree. It's not as easy as you think — these trees were big, four years old and came from a nursery in Louisburg.
Here were our instructions: First, loosen the wire around the root ball. Next, measure the length of the tree against the hole in the ground and ensure that the trunk is not buried at all. After all, ignoring this important step could mean the tree eventually rots and dies. Next, shove dirt into the hole, stomp the dirt down and then lower the tree down. Next, re-measure, ensure the tree trunk remains free, add more dirt, stomp more, add even more dirt and voila, a tree is planted!
Backbreaking work
A representative from Trees Across Raleigh worked with each VisionPoint group to plant three or four trees per group. The work was tricky and sweaty, taking three hours. Shoveling wasn’t easy and aside from worrying about the tree trunk or falling into the hole, you had to ensure no grass or clumps made their way in either as this could compromise the tree’s growth.
Nonetheless, the volunteer activity was amazing and so was the feeling of camaraderie as we worked. The cemetery was gorgeous and the weather was perfect. We all took huge pride in helping our community that day and seeing our work after. Thanks to Trees Across Raleigh and to Simon Griffiths (Trees Across Raleigh board member) for the fantastic photography. Thanks also to the Historic Oakwood Cemetery for giving us such a memorable day.