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Home SECTION HOME Friendship Trees & Peace & Friendship Monuments History Calendar
INDEX BACKGROUND FIRST TREE VALPARAISO CONFLICT ASIA
AUSTRALIA EUROPE NORTH AMERICA LATIN AMERICA INFO NEEDED CONTACT TREES

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 ASIA AUSTRALIA EUROPE NORTH AMERICA LATIN AMERICA NEW ZEALAND
COORDINATOR NEEDED PEACE & FRIENDSHIP MONUMENTS MISSING TREES WHAT'S NEW? DISCUSSION

The First Tree, in Harris' words
Wednesday forenoon I planted my first tree of friendship in European soil. It seemed to me especially appropriate that it took place in Germany —— in its metropolis —— Berlin. The planting occurred in a sports platz formerly devoted to war purposes, and a large number including Rotarians, city officials and others were in attendance. I was offered my choice of three trees of different species all of which had been groomed for the ceremony. My choice fell upon a Maple and I was then given the choice of three locations. Having selelected what seemed to me the most appropriate tree and location, the ceremony began. There were two brief addresses, one by the mayor and one by myself. The tree was planted with the fervent hope that it would stand for many years as symbolic of the living, growing friendship between the great German people and my own country. Since leaving Germany I have learned that our German friends have planted a little monument in front of the tree commemorating the event and describing the purpose it was intended to serve.

The first "tree" was planted by president Sydney Pascall, RI president in 1931 who was the first president to plant a tree during a presidential visit.

Harris' first tree was in his own garden, in honor of a pioneer Australian Rotarian

 

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