MAYFIELD, Ky. — Mayfield’s Laurel Oak Garden Club commemorated America’s upcoming 250th anniversary by planting Kentucky state tree the tulip poplar in the city’s recently opened downtown farmers market.
The Laurel Oak Garden Club and local leaders dedicated a liberty tree in the downtown farmers market on Friday.
WILL SPENCER | The Mayfield Messenger
The occasion Friday was part of the Kentucky Historical Society’s larger America250 effort to plant 120 “liberty trees” in public spaces across the state.
“As everyone knows, we’re celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States this year, and we’re trying to plant a tree in every county. Over 96 counties so far have committed to doing it,” KHS representative Dana Zinger said. “The Division of Forestry has donated tulip poplars for all those communities. We’re working in conjunction with historical societies, judge/executives and local Daughters of American Revolution chapters to make sure that this happens.”
Laurel Oak Garden Club president Anita Granier said the community can enjoy this special tree for years to come. She said the club was excited to not only participate in the country’s milestone anniversary but also contribute to Mayfield’s new farmers market.
Garden club president Anita Granier expresses excitement about the liberty tree to Kentucky Historical Society representative Dana Zinger.
WILL SPENCER | The Mayfield Messenger
“It’s a statewide event that I believe our governor implemented,” Granier said. “We don’t have a historical society in Mayfield, so County Commissioner Tyler Goodman asked us at Laurel Oak Garden Club to plant a tree. Dana and her historical society were instrumental.”
Granier said the location was chosen to ensure the America250 tree is part of the community’s everyday scenery. The farmers market is lined along the road that leads to the heart of downtown Mayfield.
“We thought this was a very visible place because this is definitely a vein into Mayfield,” Granier said. “At least people can drive by, and they can see this tree and know that we’re celebrating 250 years of freedom.”
Garden club members and local leaders help plant the liberty tree.
WILL SPENCER | The Mayfield Messenger
Zinger said the liberty tree is also a way to connect past and future generations. She said there is a universal appeal to nature sites, connecting people across time.
“Back 50 years ago when we celebrated the 200th anniversary, there were lots of tree plantings,” Zinger explained. “Hopefully, this one will be here in the next 250 years for people to sit under and enjoy 250 years worth of people that have come under the shade.”
Granier added that the community will witness the tree sprout just as downtown experiences revitalization from the December 2021 tornado. She said it can help restore the area just as new structures are being built.
A garden club member waters the liberty tree.
WILL SPENCER | The Mayfield Messenger
“Because of the tornado that hit through Mayfield, we lost so many trees and many historical ones,” Granier said. “Since the tornado, the garden club has been going around planting trees. We want to get our city back to looking good, so this is really great.”
Ultimately, Zinger said the tulip poplar tree can serve as a through-line in the arc of history and observe the community’s growth.
“It just shows that people came before us, people will come after us and this tree will see all of that and be a part of all of it,” Zinger said. “It’s important to remember our past in order to plan for the future.”
Garden club members wear green shirts that read on the back, “Plants and children… grow with love!”
WILL SPENCER | The Mayfield Messenger
For more information on the state’s America250 events, visit the Kentucky Historical Society’s website history.ky.gov.
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