In the holiday spirit, as people deck the halls and light the lights they still talk about the Festival of Trees, a three day event staged recently by the Portsmouth Garden Club and the Urban Forestry Center. It is a great community event. “At least 100 people helped to bring it all together,” said Linda D’Amico, chairperson of the festival.

The Urban Forestry Center, 180 beautiful acres of field, forest, salt marsh and several buildings, was given to the people of New Hampshire by John Elwyn Stone, direct descendant of John Langdon, first governor of the state, in 1976. The property is managed by the Division of Forests and Lands. It is one of the largest open spaces preserved on the Seacoast

"UNH Goes Green For Christmas" Thompson School of Applied Science at UNH. Third Place PrizeThe goal of the center is to increase the importance of natural resources. It was stipulated in the will that the uses of the land would be nonprofit. The Festival complied. Other than a small entrance fee for adults and children over 12 there were no charges. The Garden Club contributes funds raised to the Festival of Trees Scholarship and Grants fund. This assists students of conservation, education and historic gardens.

Exhibits were everywhere both inside and out. Visitors had well marked routes to follow with signs and friendly guides along the way. Joe Gagnon, Jack Fogarty and Tom McComb were super greeters in their black top hats.

There were four stops on the route. First stop - Rosemary Cottage where visitors saw 30 miniature trees decorated beautifully or comically. Visitors voted for their favorite entry by dropping a popsicle stick in the “ballot” box of their choice.

Second stop - Antique Cape where visitors were offered warm cider, cookies and brownies. The house itself was the home of the Langdon family. Every room was decorated to reflect colonial times.

The Third Stop - Outside exhibitions were crowd pleasers from Santa peeking out of a Camping truck, to Charlie Brown’s gang, to Fritsch Landscape’s electric trains.

Fourth Stop - 30 large trees in the Learning Center. Everyone enjoys seeing the large trees. Each one was unique. Some were traditional. Others celebrated a current event. For example we had a Red Sox Tree.


Teddy Bears from the Kittery Trading Post.Kittery Trading Post teamed up with a Children’s Advocacy Group. Their tree was decorated with teddy bears. After the festival closed the bears went to the children from the Advocacy Group.

The Festival of Trees brought the spirit of Christmas to the 5400 people who attended this spectacular event. We were aware of the talents, creativity, hard work, and sense of fun that the hundred workers brought to the Seacoast Community. We look forward to 2009, the next Festival of Trees.

The Portsmouth Garden Club issued this press release naming the winners in the various categories:

Outdoor Exhibits:

First Place: “Candy Land  Express” by Fritsch Landscapes of Dover

Second Place: “Feathered Friends” by The Potting Shed, Rye.

Third Place: “A Magnolia Christmas” by Barrymore Designs, North Hampton
mansions.
Learning Center (full size trees):

First Place: The New England Fan-Tasy” by Terri’s Hallmark, Portsmouth
Second Place: “The Children’s Tree” by G. Willikers’ Toy Shop, Portsmouth
Third Place: “UNH Goes Green for Christmas” by Thompson School of Applied Science at UNH

Rosemary Cottage (miniature trees):

First Place: “Christmas Began In A Stable” by Ironworks Studio, Deerfield
Second Place: “Gone to Seed” by Atlantic Heights Garden Club, Portsmouth
Third Place: “Magic At Twilight” by Firefly Pottery, Portsmouth

Antique Cape (decorated rooms):

First Place: Mrs. Claus in the Kitchen. Mrs. Claus appreciates all those who voted for her and her family, but has graciously declined to accept her award. Therefore:
First Place: Dining Room by Backyard Birds and Garden Frills @ Bell Farm Antiques, York, Maine

Second Place: Sitting Room by Cabot House Furniture, Portsmouth

Third Place: Library by Just The Thing, Central Ave., Dover


"I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs." ~Joseph Addison