After months of planning, coordination, site preparation, and construction, the most rewarding phase of the project had finally arrived: planting the trees.

In total, nine new trees were installed throughout downtown Randolph. These included four White Swamp Oaks, two Thornless Honey Locusts, and three Harmony Maples strategically placed throughout Main Street and Merchants Row. Two White Swamp Oaks were planted in front of Seasoned Skillet on Main Street, while another two were installed in front of Oak & Iron on Merchants Row. Two Thornless Honey Locusts now stand in front of One Main, and three Harmony Maples were planted in front of Northfield Savings Bank.

One of the most important aspects of this project was the emphasis on selecting tree species that are well-suited to Vermont's climate and growing conditions. These are trees that belong here. By prioritizing species that are native and highly adapted to Vermont's landscape, the project team focused on creating a resilient urban forest that will be better equipped to withstand local weather conditions, support wildlife, and thrive for generations to come. Rather than choosing trees based solely on appearance, species selection was driven by long-term health, sustainability, and their ability to become lasting assets to the community.

The selection process began long before planting day. Peter Butler of Strategic Vegetation Management first evaluated potential trees at the nursery in the fall prior to installation. Rather than making a quick selection, Peter revisited and reevaluated the trees again in the spring, carefully assessing their structure, health, vigor, and suitability for each planting location. This level of attention ensured that every tree installed in Randolph was intentionally chosen and met the project's standards for quality and long-term success.

All nine trees were balled-and-burlapped specimens, requiring careful handling throughout every stage of transportation and installation. The trees were staged at the Timber Pros Tree Works facility before being delivered to downtown Randolph as the project progressed. Protecting the health of these trees during transport was a top priority. Each tree was carefully wrapped and secured, and deliveries were made at slow speeds—often between 10 and 15 miles per hour—to minimize stress and prevent damage to branches, trunks, and root balls.

Once the trees arrived downtown, the work of placing them into their permanent homes began. Using both the Timber Pros Tree Works tractor and Peter Butler's tractor, the trees were carefully transported from the delivery trailers to their individual planting sites. Every movement was planned and executed with the tree's health and structural integrity in mind.

Peter's role extended far beyond supervision. His expertise guided every aspect of the planting process, from root ball handling and planting depth to final positioning within each site. Throughout installation, the health and long-term success of the trees remained the highest priority. Proper planting techniques were followed to ensure that each tree would have the best possible opportunity to establish itself and thrive within its new environment.

For our crew, seeing the trees finally installed was a significant milestone. After spending weeks cutting concrete, excavating planting pits, mixing structural soil, and constructing planting sites, the project began to take on its final form. What had previously been construction zones became vibrant new additions to Randolph's downtown streetscape.

These nine trees represent much more than landscaping improvements. They are a long-term investment in the future of Randolph—providing shade, beauty, environmental benefits, and a stronger connection to Vermont's natural heritage. As these trees grow, they will become a defining feature of the downtown area and a lasting reminder of what can be accomplished when a community invests in its future.