Tree Information & Resources

Tree Champion Award

The Concord Conservation Commission Tree Subcommittee (Tree Subcommittee) and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce are pleased to sponsor the Concord Tree Champion Award. The Concord Tree Champion is awarded to businesses or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the city’s treescape.

The trees of Concord do more than create an attractive city. They contribute to the improved livability by providing cooling shade, wildlife habitat, and improve air and water quality. Just like the economic landscape of Concord is formed by its businesses, so too is its green landscape formed by its trees. The trees that are cared for by businesses and individuals help to form this critical part of the city’s look and feel. The Concord Tree Champion Award recognizes outstanding contributions by the business community toward Concord’s treescape. Awards will go to businesses or individuals who: 1) have made a significant contribution towards education, outreach, or tree planting in the city, and/or 2) demonstrate excellence in planting, care, and maintenance of the trees on their property. 

AWARD WINNERS

• The inaugural winner of the Tree Champion award in 2024 was Jim Milliken from Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial. He has been part of Arbor Day celebrations with the city for more than a decade and assisted with planting trees at public places with the help of school children. He has been a tireless supporter of trees in the parks and gifting trees to the city. Through his encouragement and the generosity of Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial, Concord is a greener city. Trees truly have a champion in Jim Milliken. Read more here.      
• The 2025 award winner is Havenwood Heritage Heights. They have made notable efforts to add trees to their Havenwood and Heritage Heights campuses during an event on Earth Day as well as throughout the year. CEO Mike Palmieri noted that the trees not only beautify their properties, but also make environmental contributions and are meaningful to their residents. Some residents lent their expertise in selecting sites and species and tree care, while others donated trees in memory of a loved one. A video of the ceremony is included below.  Read more here.            

What makes a tree champion? Each year, the Concord Conservation Commission - Tree Subcommittee, in collaboration with the Chamber, will choose individuals or businesses who have planted trees, demonstrated excellent care of trees, or contributed other notable positive impacts to the city’s treescape. For a particular property, the award could recognize a landscape that is either professionally maintained or just lovingly cared for by the owner or occupant. It could be an apartment building, a car dealership, a barbershop or a shopping center. For an individual, the award could recognize unique contributions of knowledge, awareness, advocacy, or financial support for Concord’s treescape. The selection committee will consider proper mulching and pruning, replacement of trees when dead or damaged, protecting trees from hazards, new plantings and providing for appropriate tree density. 

Businesses or individuals from anywhere in the city are eligible. So, look around in Penacook, downtown, the Heights, the east and west sides, and south Concord for those examples of great tree care and new tree plantings. Identify those individuals who make major contributions to improving the quality of life in Concord with trees. You can nominate yourself or another deserving business or individual.