The NYNJ Trail Conference hosted the 4th Annual Joyce Kilmer Day at its Darlington Road Schoolhouse this past Sunday. / Photo by Geoff Welch

Mahwah resident Joyce Kilmer wrote a brief poem celebrating trees in his Airmont Road home back in 1913, and has ever since been both satirized and celebrated.

Sgt. Joyce Kilmer, as a member of the Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment, United States Army, c. 1918. / Photo via Wikipedia, Public Domain USA

That famous first line, “I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree”, has echoed through many a school students’ memory.

Kilmer died young at only 31 years old by a bullet to the brain on the battlefield during World War I, fighting in the Second Battle of Marne in July 1918.

Joyce Kilmer’s granddaughters Deborah Kilmer and Noelie Kilmer Angevine help cut a cake to celebrate Joyce Kilmer Day at the newly-restored Darlington Schoolhouse. Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet stands in the middle while Joyce Kilmer Society President Alex Michelini looks on. / Photo via Geoff Welch

January 31 was Joyce Kilmer Day in Mahwah and honors the life and legacy of the town’s native son.

The Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah helped kick-off a new Plant a Tree in Mahwah project this past weekend, held at the newly restored 1891 Darlington Schoolhouse, home of the New York New Jersey Trail Conference headquarters.

The granddaughters of Kilmer attended the event, which was a collaboration between several groups, including the Kilmer Society, Mahwah Environmental Volunteer Organization (MEVO) and the Mahwah Township Beautification Committee.

The Plant a Tree in Mahwah project will focus on planting trees on several municipal properties.

Punxsutawney Phil officially alerted all that spring will arrive early this year, during his celebrated Groundhog Day appearance in Punxutawney Pennsylvania. Whether that will make the trees happy or not is hard to tell.