Trees are an integral component of Aiken’s charm, and the organization protecting them just received a major infusion of money.
Rob Johnston, a well-known local philanthropist, donated one million dollars to the Aiken Streetscapes Fund held by the Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA). The money will be used to fund the Oak Wilt Response program.
“Oak Wilt is a serious and often fatal fungal disease affecting oak trees,” said Darce Stoker, Executive Director of Aiken Streetscapes. “Approximately 22 water oaks along Charleston Street have been identified as infected. In coordination with Clemson Extension, the South Carolina Forestry Commission, and Bartlett Tree Experts, the city is trenching and removing affected trees to prevent further spread, particularly to historic live oaks along South Boundary Avenue.”
Johnston grew up in Aiken, moved to Atlanta and started a successful business, but returned home in 2006. He saw that the urban forest was deteriorating and helped create Aiken Streetscapes in 2017.
When he learned of CFCSRA, Johnston said he knew it was the right partnership to create a fund supporting Aiken’s trees.
“This is not about one contributor. It is not about one donor. This is far more important than anybody. It is what we’re doing as a town, and what we’re doing is doing as a group,” he said.
Shell Berry, President and CEO of CFCSRA (left), agreed, saying it is a collaboration of generous people and public will, coupled with bringing in experts to all sit at the same table.
“We get to do our small part of that by stewarding the Aiken Streetscape Fund and making sure that all donations that are given to that fund are stewarded in exactly the way the donors want them to be, and that while those dollars are with us, they grow, so its impact over time can be even more. This allows for long-term planning and allows Dacre and others to focus on what they do best and not worry about stewarding.”
In addition to money for the oak wilt response, Aiken Streetscapes has also committed to provide funding for replacement trees following the removal of trees that are infected.
City leaders said this is more than an effort by the city to defeat the oak wilt fungal disease. City horticulturist Aaron Campbell said the public plays an equally significant role.
“We have tried to get the word out to everybody. Most of the local tree care contractors are very well aware of it. If they feel like it is oak wilt, then we need to call our Clemson Extension agency and follow the protocols that the SC Forestry Commission has set in place to properly dispose of the tree,” he said.
While contributing to the beauty and aesthetics of Aiken, Johnston said the urban canopy serves an even more important purpose.
“The bottom line between the trees at Hitchcock Woods and our urban forest of 24,000 trees, one million pounds of CO2 (carbon dioxide) is taken out of the environment. That’s why we have healthy people, why people want to move down here, the healthy trees, the healthier population,” said Johnston.
Donations to support the program can be made through the Aiken Streetscapes website https://aikenstreetscapes.org/.
Donations through the Aiken Streetscapes Fund at CFCSRA can be made at https://www.cfcsra.org/.
