Tree Planted in Memory of the CHS Class of 1972

A Kwanzan Cherry Tree was donated to the Township of Cranford by the Cranford High School Class of 1972 and planted as a memorial of the Class of 1972 this Saturday. Deputy Mayor Terrence Curran, liaison to the Shade Tree Commission, STC Superintendent Erik Hastrup and Julie Ammann Barton, along with some of her fellow classmates of the CHS Class of 1972 stand with the newly planted tree outside of Centennial Avenue Pool.

Fall is an active season for the Township of Cranford Shade Tree Commission (STC) as they prepare for new tree plantings across the township. This past Saturday, September 14, Deputy Mayor of Cranford Terrence Curran, liaison to the STC, and the STC Superintendent Erik Hastrup gathered with members of the Cranford High School (CHS) Class of 1972 for a special tree planting ceremony outside of the Centennial Avenue Pool complex.

Members of the CHS Class of 1972 reconnected in their hometown for a weekend class reunion and during their visit, they took the opportunity to give back to the Township by donating a Kwanzan Cherry tree in honor of the Class of 1972. “It is dedicated not only to the memory but to honor all of us as we celebrate our 70th year on earth,” said Julie Ammann Barton, who coordinated the tree planting for her classmates. “Hopefully as people go by, they’re going to think about what we do to contribute to the community.”

Throughout the township this fall, the STC has plans to plant 71 new trees, to complete its objective of 103 new trees planted for 2024. In January, the Township officially established this new Shade Tree Commission to ensure the appropriate management of the Cranford community forest. It is responsible for regulating, planting, and caring for shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery located on public property within the Township of Cranford public property.

Read more about the STC online at
www.cranfordnj.org/shade-tree-commission.