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ABQ & NM History Index: Gift Trees for Albuquerque

Gift Trees for Albuquerque Index

Gift Trees for Albuquerque Index (completed)

"This is an alphabetical listing of people for whom Memorial and Honorary Trees have been given to the people of Albuquerque, their donors, and the location of the tree.  This program was started by the Civic Beautification Committee of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce in 1964.  After more than 16 years of sponsorship, the committee turned over the administration of the 'Gift Trees' to the Albuquerque Parks Department in August 1980."

The contents of the Personal Name column is the individual for whom the tree was planted "in memory of," or "in honor of." The contents of the Additional Name column includes the donor individuals(s) or oranization(s).

The GIFT TREE PEDASTAL was handcrafted by Dr. A. H. Schwichtenberg, head of the Department of Aerospace Medicine and Bioastronautics of the Lovelace Foundation. 

The base, top and sides are made from oak ceiling joists of HUNING CASTLE which was built at 1508 Central Avenue, SW in 1880 and was torn down in 1956. 

The large piece of pine in the center of the pedestal was used as a door jamb between the old chyrch and the monastery at the Sandia Pueblo.  Trees were brought down from the Sandia Mountains for the buildings.  It is rough hewn on one side and the cross section shows the grain of the pine.

The first small piece is from the balustrade of the Masonic Temple which stood at Sixth and Central, SW.  It was completed in 1911 and destroyed by fire in 1967.

The second piece of wood is from the old Armijo home, now known as La Placita in Old Town.

The third piece of wood is part of a floor joist from the restored home of Mrs. Robert E. Dietz III at 7017 Edith Blvd., NE.

The fourth piece of wood is from the historic San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town which dates to 1706.

Index data entry by Linda McNiel.