Community Volunteers Plant 100 Trees at Historic Highland Cemetery During Northern Kentucky Tree Week

A dedicated group of volunteers gathered at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell on Oct. 18, 2025, to plant the next generation of canopy trees for one of Northern Kentucky’s most treasured landscapes. The event, held during Northern Kentucky Tree Week, brought together Taking Root, Gregory Forrest Lester, Inc., the Northern Kentucky Urban Forestry Council, and R.A Jones for a coordinated community planting effort.

Over the course of the morning, volunteers planted 20 large-caliper trees and more than 80 saplings across the cemetery grounds. The planting was designed to renew the site’s aging canopy and ensure that shade, beauty, and habitat remain defining features of the cemetery for decades to come.

Employees from R.A Jones and their families participated as part of the company’s 120th anniversary celebration, joining community volunteers and partners in hands-on stewardship. Staff from Gregory Forrest Lester, Inc. and the Northern Kentucky Urban Forestry Council contributed both people power and technical expertise, working alongside Taking Root to guide placement, planting techniques, and care recommendations.

Highland Cemetery has served families for 155 years and is known for its mature trees — many now reaching the end of their natural life cycle. The coordinated planting addressed this challenge directly, filling canopy gaps and preparing the landscape for long-term resilience.

“Our region’s canopy doesn’t renew itself without people stepping in,” said organizers with Taking Root. “This project shows what happens when organizations and volunteers work together toward a shared goal: healthier, greener communities.”

The event also highlighted the growing momentum for collaborative urban forestry efforts across the eight counties Taking Root serves. By blending volunteer energy, professional guidance, and organizational support, the partners demonstrated a practical model for how communities can restore and sustain tree canopy in an era of increasing climate pressures.

The young trees will be monitored and cared for over the coming seasons, with partners committed to ensuring their successful establishment. For Highland Cemetery and the broader region, the planting marks not just a single-day effort, but the ongoing long-term investment in a thriving, resilient urban tree canopy.

Is your business celebrating a milestone or a looking for a earth-friendly employee community event? Taking Root collaborates with you to create memorable employee events through community tree plantings and tree education. If you are interested in learning more, please email us.