D
avey is proud of its deep roots in Kent,
Ohio—but the company's corporate
street address doesn't cover the whole story.
What is really noteworthy is the role Davey
continues to play as a member of Kent and the
surrounding communities. Through its devel-
opment of many partnerships and its focus on
projects within the city and county, Davey has
vastly demonstrated its commitment to Kent.
But Davey's involvement in Kent doesn't
stop there. Just in time for Kent State
University's Homecoming celebration last fall,
Davey donated and planted a new 35-foot pin
oak tree on the main campus to symbolize
the public-private partnership between the
university and the City of Kent.
"We think it's important to educate the
community about trees," explains Sandra Reid,
vice president of corporate communications
and strategic planning administration. "We're
passionate about trees, and we're passionate
about Kent."
Because the wood from pin oak trees
traditionally "pinned together" the timbers of
a structure, the 8-inch caliper pin oak Davey
donated as the "Partnership Tree" is thought
to be a worthy representation of the friendship
between the university and the town. "We hope
that as this tree grows, it continues to represent
the partnership between Kent State and the city
and businesses of Kent," Reid explained during
her speech at a dedication ceremony for the
tree in October.
After Davey received a request for the tree
donation from Kent State, Davey Nursery
Branch Manager Rick Hanshaw helped pick
a robust, healthy tree to donate. Nursery
crewmembers used a spade truck to transport
the tree to Kent during the week of Sept. 30,
when they also planted the tree in its new,
permanent location on Kent State's campus.
The Partnership Tree now stands near the new
University Esplanade extension that connects
the university to downtown Kent.
On Oct. 4, Kent State hosted a dedication
ceremony for the public to listen to city,
government and university officials commemo-
rate the recent developments on campus and
downtown. At the conclusion of Reid's speech,
attendees walked over to the Partnership Tree
for a brief dedication ceremony.
Davey Nursery "Pins"
Partnership Tree for Planting
Above left: Davey Nursery Foreman Tim
Kelling secures Kent State's new pin oak
tree into the ground.
Left: A Davey spade truck transports the pin
oak tree to its permanent location on Kent
State's main campus in Kent, Ohio.
10 | January/February 2014
