Edward A. Richardson

Edward A. Richardson (July 10, 1924 – December 19, 2019) was a self-taught tree expert who spent years studying the trees of Connecticut.[1][2] Richardson, a World War II veteran[3] who made his living in Connecticut's insurance industry, volunteered numerous hours of his time[4] to find, measure and catalog large and interesting trees for the Notable Tree Survey of the Connecticut Botanical Society,[5] which resulted in the publication of Glenn Dreyer's book, "Connecticut's Notable Trees," in 1989.[6] Richardson mapped out the trees in Hartford's Bushnell Park, Institute of Living,[7] Elizabeth Park and Cedar Hill Cemetery.[8] Over the years, Richardson also led numerous tree tours throughout the state of Connecticut.[9]

Governor Malloy's Official Statement honoring Ed Richardson (November 2018).
Governor Malloy's Official Statement honoring Ed Richardson (November 2018).

On November 15, 2018, the Connecticut Forest and Park Association presented Richardson with an Official Statement issued by Governor Dannel Malloy, honoring Richardson's years of service to the trees of Connecticut.

Ed Richardson with Connecticut Champion Ginkgo, on the campus of The Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut (May 2015).
Ed Richardson in Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, Connecticut (June 2013).
Ed Richardson with Bur Oak at The Institute of Living (May 2015).
  1. ^ "Edward Richardson". Glastonbury Funeral Home. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  2. ^ Mahmood, Aysha (December 22, 2014). "Self-taught historian, 90, preserves, identifies majestic trees". The Middletown Press. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Richardson-Holloway (Wedding Notice)". The Hartford Courant. July 30, 1945.
  4. ^ Grant, Steve (September 5, 2009). "A Tree Cycling Tour: Majestic Specimens Around Hartford Tailor-made For A Ride Through Time". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 21 July 2018. His [Richardson's] work has taken many hours, all on a volunteer basis.
  5. ^ Kovner, Josh (November 22, 2002). "Keeping Track Of Our Trees: Edward Richardson Chronicles Connecticut's Growing Treasure". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 21 July 2018. He [Richardson] is a major contributor to the Notable Tree Survey of the Connecticut Botanical Society, having measured as many as 1,600 trees and mapped up to 8,000 specimens throughout the state.
  6. ^ Battista, Carolyn (November 5, 1989). "What's Notable: A Book of Wondrous Trees". The New York Times. No. Page CN12. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Notables Trees". Institute of Living. Institute of Living, A Division of Hartford Hospital. Retrieved 21 July 2018. This page is based upon a self-guided walking tour researched and created by Ed Richardson, Notable Tree Committee, Connecticut Botanical Society.
  8. ^ Kovner, Josh (November 22, 2002). "Keeping Track Of Our Trees: Edward Richardson Chronicles Connecticut's Growing Treasure". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 21 July 2018. His [Richardson's] work is the basis of the brochures and tree guides that enthusiasts clutch when they walk in Hartford's Bushnell and Elizabeth parks, and through Cedar Hill Cemetery and the sprawling grounds of the Institute of Living, dating to 1822.
  9. ^ Hesselberg, Erik (July 15, 2013). "Volunteer Carries On Mission To Find The State's Largest, Most Notable Trees". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 21 July 2018.