Late Charlestonian Mayo Read honored at city Arbor Day ceremony

The city of Charleston and Charleston Parks Conservancy planted a live oak tree in Hampton Park in recognition of Arbor Day and in memory of the late Charlestonian Mayo Read, who influenced the planting of more than 1,000 trees throughout the city during his lifetime.

Charleston Mayor John J. Tecklenburg was joined by former Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., as well as members of Mr. Read’s family, who helped to plant the tree in his honor.

As former chairman and active member of Charleston Trees, which is now a committee of the Charleston Parks Conservancy, Mr. Read helped lead an effort in the late 1980’s to have 350 live oak trees planted along East Bay Street and Morrison Drive, now known as the East Bay Avenue of Oaks.

Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Mayo Read was a remarkable man, and I was honored to help plant this tree in his memory, adding it to the canopy of thousands of others he helped plant throughout our city. Together, they not only beautify our city and clean our air, but they remind us of the kinds of truly admirable citizens who make Charleston such a special place.”

This observance of Arbor Day, which is annually recognized in South Carolina on the first Friday in December, was held in partnership with the Charleston Parks Conservancy, which funds the city’s yearly Arbor Day plantings.