The partnership between Calvary Cemetery and Coolmore America Ashford Stud Farm represents a vital commitment to preserving the cemetery’s historic landscape, particularly its century-old trees that form a living canopy over the sacred grounds. As one of the oldest and most revered cemeteries in the region, Calvary is not only a place of rest but also a reflection of cultural and natural heritage. With Coolmore America’s support, the cemetery gains access to expert horticultural resources and long-term care strategies that ensure the survival and health of these legacy trees. This collaboration highlights a shared vision for sustainability, respect for history, and the preservation of natural beauty within sacred spaces.
To further engage the community in this restoration effort, Calvary Cemetery has launched the “Celebrate a Tree” initiative. This program invites site visitors and families of loved ones interred at the cemetery to take part in the project by donating to the care, restoration, or planting of trees throughout the grounds. Each contribution helps fund arborist services, tree replacements, and educational signage, while also offering donors a meaningful way to commemorate their loved ones through nature. By blending public involvement with expert stewardship, “Celebrate a Tree” ensures that the cemetery remains a serene and flourishing environment for generations to come.
Black Cherry
Co-dominant trunks in need of pruning and cabling
White Pine
Co-dominant trunks in need of cabling and weight reduction
Norway Spruce
Co-dominant trunks in need of cabling and weight reduction
Sugar Maple
Needs to be pruned and cabled
Catalpa
Needs to be dead-wooded and pruned
American Elm
Treat for Dutch Elm disease and prune
Season of Creation Walking Tour
Join us every year at Calvary Cemetery for our Season of Creation Walking Tour, a reflective and immersive experience honoring Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’s call to care for our common home. Held during the Season of Creation (September 1 – October 4), this guided walking tour invites visitors to explore the natural beauty and sacred history of Calvary’s grounds, while deepening their spiritual connection to creation and the environment.
As you walk beneath century-old trees, past historic monuments, and through peaceful landscapes, you’ll be invited to reflect on themes from Laudato Si’—including ecological conversion, stewardship, and the interconnectedness of all life. The tour offers moments of prayer, meditation, and education, encouraging participants to see the cemetery not only as a place of rest but also as a living testament to God’s creation.
This unique experience is open to individuals, families, parish groups, and schools seeking a meaningful way to engage with the Church’s ecological mission. Whether you come to remember a loved one, to seek peace, or to deepen your faith, the Season of Creation Walking Tour offers a sacred journey through nature, memory, and hope for the future.
Meet our Expert
Barry Duncil has a background in arboriculture and landscape architecture. Through conversations with Bishop Stowe and Dermot Ryan, Barry became involved with Calvary to help assess the condition of the landscape and its magnificent trees. Each year for the next 5 years, Barry will coordinate a team of volunteers and contractors to help plant 30 trees within the cemetery. In addition to planting trees, Barry helped to kickstart the ‘Celebrate a Tree’ initiative, where parishioners and others may donate to a specific tree that is in need of regular maintenance activities such as pruning.
