Planter’s Garden Club plants tree in memory of Anna Bowditch

When the Community Project Committee of the Planters Garden Club went in search of a way to honor Anna Bowditch, one of the co-founders of the club, they found a way to not only remember her, but to serve the community that she loved.

The beautiful palm on Park Street, just across from PJ’s Seagrille, didn’t survive the extremely cold weather of the last two winters. The Planters Garden Club decided that replacing the tree would be the perfect project.
After consulting with Joe Sulak, manager of Landscaping for Lee County, permission was granted for the replacement of the palm tree. Research began with a local palm expert. A Maypan palm was chosen. The

Maypan is a hybrid palm that is more resistant to cold weather. After a search for the perfect specimen, it was found on Palm Island. In fact, the new tree even echoes the curve of its predecessor.
Once the tree was planted, Kathleen and J.T. Turner provided hoses and started the initial schedule of watering, but without the diligent care of Joy Wyman through the hot months of summer, the palm would not have survived. Peter and Lisa Sallee of Affordable Landscaping dressed the bed with lovely dark mulch. Now there is a beautiful and healthy palm tree for the community to enjoy.

Many thanks from the Planters Garden Club to all of the people who gave so generously of their time and energy to make this project possible.