Tree Tributes

Hear stories from Adopt-A-Tree Donors

The High Line Canal Conservancy has launched an Adopt-A-Tree campaign to provide a meaningful way to honor a loved one or commemorate a milestone. Donors who adopt a tree have the opportunity to provide a short narrative about why they’ve chosen to adopt a tree or the person or event they’ve chosen to commemorate. Read their stories here.

Bur Oak Adopted March. 3, 2024 Honoring Milo Ginsberg

Milo, happy 10th birthday! Remember the mighty oak was once a nut like you. Love, Mia and G-daddy

Bur Oak Adopted March. 3, 2024 Honoring Max Ginsberg

Max, happy 10th birthday! Remember the mighty oak was once a nut like you. Love, Mia and G-daddy

Kentucky Coffeetree Adopted Dec. 12, 2023 Honoring Andrea Howland

Happy birthday to my wonderful sister! – Sam Howland

Shumard Oak Adopted Sept. 1, 2023 Honoring Odin Deifik

Jordan’s and Ben’s little Odin who passed away at 5 years. He was a loving, fearless and feisty little boy who lived his life to the fullest. – Nancy Deifik “Nona”

Chinkapin Oak Adopted May 4, 2023 Honoring Lucy Deifik

Bruce’s little girl. She gave 16.5 years of unconditional love to the family and will be greatly missed by the family and those who knew her from her daily walks in the neighborhood. – Nancy Deifik

Chinkapin Oak Adopted May 4, 2023 Honoring Beast Witheiler

The best little boy and the fastest ball player ever, pound per pound. He gave 17 years of unconditional love to the family. He will be greatly missed by the family and those who knew him. – Nancy Deifik

Tatarian Maple Adopted May 1, 2023 Honoring Ben Wood, in loving memory, 1932-2013.

Ben was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved to challenge his limits skiing, hiking, sailing, or playing with his children and grandchildren. He loved walking the High Line Canal and once took friends and his kids down the canal on canoes – Ann, Jenny, Greg and Robyn

Kentucky Coffeetree Adopted May 1, 2023 Honoring Catherine Decker, in loving memory, 1938-2018.

Catherine was a cherished friend to our family for over 40 years. She loved to walk along the canal with Ben and June, talking about life and enjoying the beauty of the canal. She is beloved by so many friends, her children and grandchildren – The Ben and June Wood family

Flowering Pear Adopted May 1, 2023 Honoring June Wood, in loving memory, 1932-2021.

June was beloved by her family. She doted on her husband, children and especially her grandchildren. She had a special love for the High Line Canal which she walked regularly with Ben and Catherine, among others. She loved its serenity, beauty and birds. – Ann, Jenny, Greg and Robyn.

Boxelder Adopted May 1, 2023 Honoring Clarice Evelyn Ross Kovaly

We planted a Boxelder in our backyard with my mother when I was a little kid with my three younger brothers and little sister. We crashed into it constantly wrestling and playing football. Ultimately, I’m not sure it survived our roughhousing so I wanted this in memory of her, just in case. – James Kovaly

Chinkapin Oak Adopted April 27, 2023 Honoring Bert Neely

Bert loved our backyard backing to the High Line Canal and the magnificent trees shading our house. When he passed, he asked for trees to be planted in his name, and I believe this tree was planted just for him—dedicated with love for Bert and the Canal. – Patti Jansen

Hawthorne Adopted Spring 2022 Honoring Charles H. Harris

We’re grateful for the opportunity to have a tree to memorialize my dad and also as a place for our family to have another reason to get on the Canal. It gives us a destination on the trail and is a nice way to honor his memory and be outside. – Jamie and Brian Harris