Gems of Wake Robin: Tree Marker Plaques

2014 was a BIG year at Wake Robin. It marked the 20th anniversary for Vermont’s first Life Plan Community. Rightly so, residents and staff celebrated the occasion in a variety of ways.

Five years later, one particular commemoration still lives on: tree marker plaques. Spread around our wooded campus, the tree marker plaques were put up not only to educate, but also to honor Wake Robin’s commitment to natural conservation. A total of eighteen different trees — from Vermont’s quintessential Sugar Maple, to the appropriately named Shagbark Hickory — were cataloged, described in detail by their features, and given a plaque.

How it Began

Wake Robin’s lead landscaper Peter Hausermann and resident named Mary spearheaded the project. They both wanted to identify trees that the buildings on campus were named after.

Mary remembers hatching the idea after seeing tree markers from the Audubon Society. Since Wake Robin values green living, Mary thought: why not do the same here?

The project was meticulous, taking over two years to complete. Mr. Hausermann identified the trees, while Mary and a committee researched tree information, and the Wake Robin wood shop built the backings and posts for the plaques. The Wake Robin Residents Association funded the project.

“Walk Along the Tree Trails” Celebration

Wake Robin hosted residents and priority depositors for a “Walk Along the Tree Trails” event as part of an ecological exhibit that toured the wooden grounds. Mr. Hausermann capped the event with a presentation on tree history and land enrichment as Wake Robin moved from year one, to year twenty.

“One of the beauties of Wake Robin is that it allows people to have close access to nature,” he said.

Next time you go for a stroll take a moment to notice all the different trees you are passing. There is always so much to learn, and so many to see here at Wake Robin.