Trees Matter

By Bruce Berno, founder of Trees In Gratitude

My love and appreciation for trees started when I was growing up in a home in Mansfield, Ohio that had two maples trees that were at least four feet in diameter plus two beech trees of equal size. One beech tree hung over the driveway and interfered with our basketball court, but we loved it, nonetheless. Across the street was several acres of woods consisting mostly of Norway Spruce trees planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression. I remember the Norway Spruce trees were 50% higher than the telephone poles lining the street.

My love for trees and greenspace was instrumental in choosing Miami University for college, as there was no way I could survive on an urban campus.

I volunteered for the Anderson Township Tree Committee in 2010, right after Anderson Township was designated a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation. I completed the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry Tree Commission Academy, a two-year program, in March 2012.

Trees In Gratitude

In 2012, I founded a philanthropic program called "Trees In Gratitude" as expression of the gratitude I have for my life and my business. My goal was to plant small trees that would become large shade trees on the grounds of non-profit organizations, most of whom did not have a budget to plant and maintain trees.

My projects have been focused on the Anderson Township and Newtown areas and have included the grounds of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and School, Hillcrest Cemetery, the Rt. 32 bike trail, Forest Hills Swim Club, Anderson Township Arboretum, Johnson Hills, and Beech Acres Parks in Anderson Township plus Short Park, Moundview Park, and Lake Barber in Newtown. In 10 years, I have planted nearly 400 trees at over 15 sites.

I have been generously assisted by volunteers from McNicholas High School, University of Cincinnati, Turpin High School, and many others. All the trees we’ve been planted will grow into large shade trees over many years and include various oaks (predominantly), Tulip Poplar, American Basswood, Sycamore, American Beech, Hickory, Sweetgums, and various maples.

The Next Generation

In addition to trees, I have a broad interest in environmental stewardship, including energy efficiency and recycling. I am particularly impressed with the Civic Garden Center's Treeforestation program and the work that it does with high schools and other youth. It is critical to educate young people about the importance of trees and how to plant and care for them and the Civic Garden Center is doing just that. Bravo!