Michael Trebert DAR partners with city, other groups to plant historic tree

By Sequim Gazette staff • November 19, 2025 3:30 am
Photo courtesy Judy Tordini/ Ken Bearly, commander of Sequim VFW Post #4760, accepts the gift of a historic "Herbie" American Elm clone from Jamie Bent, center, historian for the Michael Trebert Chapter, DAR, and Regent Carol Weiler.

The Michael Trebert Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently partnered with the City of Sequim’s Public Works Department, the Parks & Events Division, Sequim VFW Post #4760 and American Legion Post #62 to plant a historic “Herbie” American Elm clone as part of the America 250 commemoration project in Clallam County.

The America 250 initiative celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States through historic preservation, education and community partnerships. The elm is a clone of “Herbie,” one of America’s most famous and longest-living elm trees, symbolizing resilience, history and national heritage.

Registered as clone #111, the tree planted at Joseph L. Keeler Memorial Park at Highway 101 and Happy Valley Road is the third “Herbie” descendant planted locally by the DAR chapter. Propagated in 2018 at the Elm Research Institute in Keene, New Hampshire, the young elm was acqured by the Michael Trebert DAR in 2021 and arrived in Clallam County in 2025 after surviving a rabbit virus outbreak.

Standing about 4 feet tall, the resilient clone was gifted to Sequim VFW Post #4760 in May and was planted on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the 45-acre memorial park. Those present for the ceremonial planting included Nancy Zimmerman, chaplain, Michael Trebert DAR and commander, American Legion Post #62; Kevin O’Neill, commander, Sequim VFW Post #4760; John Kowalski, senior vice president, Sequim VFW; and Gary Butler of the city’s Parks Department.

A second tree, registered as clone #112, was gifted to Jack Grennan American Legion Post #62 and will be planted at the same park on Earth Day 2026.

Photo courtesy Judy Tordini/ Those present for the ceremonial planting included, from left, Kevin O’Neill, commander, Sequim VFW Post #4760; Nancy Zimmerman, chaplain, Michael Trebert DAR and commander, American Legion Post #62; John Kowalski, senior vice president, Sequim VFW; and Gary Butler of the city’s Parks Department.

Photo courtesy Judy Tordini/ Those present for the ceremonial planting included, from left, Kevin O’Neill, commander, Sequim VFW Post #4760; Nancy Zimmerman, chaplain, Michael Trebert DAR and commander, American Legion Post #62; John Kowalski, senior vice president, Sequim VFW; and Gary Butler of the city’s Parks Department.

Photo courtesy Judy Tordini/ Registered as clone #111, the American Elm tree is a clone of “Herbie,” one of America’s most famous and longest-living elm trees, symbolizing resilience, history and national heritage.

Photo courtesy Judy Tordini/ Registered as clone #111, the American Elm tree is a clone of “Herbie,” one of America’s most famous and longest-living elm trees, symbolizing resilience, history and national heritage.

Photo courtesy Judy Tordini/ Kevin O’Neill, center, commander of Sequim VFW Post #4760, stamps the earth around the “Herbie” American Elm clone that was planted Oct. 30 at the Joseph L. Keeler Memorial Park as part of the America250 initiative celebrating the country’s 250th birthday.

Photo courtesy Judy Tordini/ Kevin O’Neill, center, commander of Sequim VFW Post #4760, stamps the earth around the “Herbie” American Elm clone that was planted Oct. 30 at the Joseph L. Keeler Memorial Park as part of the America250 initiative celebrating the country’s 250th birthday.