In Memory

"It's the gift that continues to grow."

That's how Bill Harder, general manager, Harder Tree and Landscape Service, Hempstead, N.Y., explained his vision to plant a tree for each of the nearly 5,000 people who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

"We're not doing this for publicity reasons," Harder stressed. "I feel it is my obligation as an American and a New Yorker to do something in response to this tragedy."
 
Ideally, Harder would like to plant a tree in the yard of each person who died, but he realizes that not everyone has a yard. So, some of the trees will either be planted around the cities the individuals lived in or in New York City. However, if the bulk of the trees are to be planted in Manhattan, Harder expects that the trees will be spread out around the city rather than be planted in the area near where the World Trade Center once stood.

"You can't put that quantity of trees in one area," Harder advised. "Plus, that area won't be ready for construction for years. We're able to watch the cleanup process there very closely and I can see how long it's going to take."

But, this project is still in its early stages and Harder emphasized that none of the logistics are worked out yet. There is a lot of red tape to go through before the actual planting of the trees can begin, he warned.

"Just getting the names of the people who were lost will be hard," Harder explained. "I will have to get the cooperation of the city agencies to do that."

After getting the names of the people who perished, Harder will work on getting assistance from other contractors around the country for plant material donations and for help in planting the trees.

"This will be a grand undertaking on our part, but cannot be done without the support and contributions of others," Harder declared in a letter to Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) president Drew St. John. "I ask that when the time comes, ALCA and its friends give us the support we will need. My labor force can handle the installation but we will require the support of suppliers for the materials."

Despite the enormity of the project, Harder is optimistic that he'll be able to pull it off.

"New Yorkers are a great breed and I feel we can get the contributions required for this massive undertaking," he pronounced.

For information on how you can help with this project, contact Bill Harder at 516/481-8800.