Tree dedicated to Seymour man's memory

Ceremony held at Town Hall

SEYMOUR - I attended a heart-warming event Wednesday as town officials, friends, and colleagues dedicated a Japanese maple tree to the late Keith Mitchell.

It was clear as I listened to those who shared their thoughts that Mitchell, who served as Seymour's tree warden for a quarter-century, was a well-respected member of the community.

Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller, left, and James Govoni, president, Board of Directors of the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut, dedicate a Japanese maple Wednesday in memory of longtime Seymour tree warden Keith Mitchell who died earlier this year.  Patricia Villers/Register


Mitchell was described as humble, loyal, articulate, and hard-working. His fellow tree wardens from across Connecticut who gathered Wednesday to honor Mitchell's memory said he was a docent at the New York Botanical Gardens and was extremely knowledgeable about trees and plants.

In 1998 a 229-acre parcel off Great Hill Road was named for Mitchell.

I'm sorry that I never had the opportunity to meet him.