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The fact is that
Sydney Pascall, RI president in 1931 was the first president to
plant a tree during a
presidential visit.
In 'The Rotarian' in July 1932, Sydney Pascall wrote:
"Before I left London for my round the world club visitations, Paul Harris,
revered founder of Rotary, suggested that a most appropriate
way of symbolizing the Rotary idea would be the
planting of trees.
I started this observance in the National
Botanical Gardens at Cape Town, and since then I have planted more
than 30 trees, while 22 others have been set out by Mrs Pascall, our
daughter, and mayors and Rotary leaders.
Let us hope that our active pursuit of friendship among the
nations may be symbolized by these trees.
We recall the saying; 'and the leaves of the tree
were for the healing of the nations.'
May it be so."
 But, it was Paul
and Jean Harris who created a friendship garden at their home,
Comely
Bank, in Chicago. In the 1930's they were invited by the board of
directors to visit many Rotary conventions and gatherings around the world.
In nearly 50 places that the project has been able to find, the Harris'
planted trees. Some even survived wars, some did not, but were replanted.
(reprint from the April 2007 issue of The Rotarian, upper left)
The purpose of this section of our history project is to show the growth of
Rotary from the fellowship and love of one Rotarian to another.
You'll read some of Harris' writing and read of his travels. In the
story of the trees is part of the story of the greatness of Rotary
itself.
Jack M. B. Selway, Founder Rotary
Global History
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"It
is not good that the man should be alone" hence I took Jean with me and
her presence shed its customary glow over every picture." From Peregrinations, Volume II "We Become Pacific-Ocean
Minded" by Paul P. Harris, President Emeritus, Rotary
International - copyright 1937, Jean T. Harris, courtesy of the Rotary International Archives |
The RGHF "Friendship Tree" Gavel.
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