The Holladay community, city officials and members of the Holladay Tree Committee gathered at Knudsen Park for a tree planting ceremony in mid-October. During the event, a magnificent dawn redwood tree—a relative of the California redwood and giant sequoia—was planted in honor of the invaluable contributions made by certified arborist Travis Jones. 

“Like olive trees that have been giving away food, medicine and oil since Neolithic times, Travis has been generously giving away his time and sharing his tree expertise, plus volunteering his faithful truck, hands and back, to the Tree Committee for over 15 years all without expectation,” Tree Committee member Wendy Frank said.

According to Frank, Jones has spent untold hours coordinating with nurseries, Blue Stakes, Granite School District principals, elected city officials and staff on behalf of the Tree Committee. “How many shovels Travis has gone through along the way, or gallons of gas he’s paid for out of his own pocket is anyone’s guess,” said Frank. “He’s always dug deep for others and would go out on a limb for anyone.”

Holladay has a significant tree canopy that covers approximately 40% of the city, contributing to its historic charm, as many of the trees date back to the 1850s. To protect this valuable resource, the city council established the Holladay Tree Committee and created a Tree Canopy Sustainability Ordinance. This ordinance requires permits and sustainability plans for any development activities that may affect the trees. 

“Travis’s passion for trees and professional expertise helped to lead the city in adopting a city ordinance aimed at preserving our cherished Holladay Tree canopy,” Mayor Rob Dahle said.

 Additionally, the city provides vouchers to residents to help with the cost of planting new trees on their private property. Holladay is a designated Tree City and participates in the Tree City USA program, which promotes the planting, maintenance and preservation of trees throughout the community.  “Travis was also instrumental in the free tree giveaway, tree voucher program and city-sponsored tree planting events,” Dahle said. “His leadership leaves a lasting legacy for generations that will follow.”

According to Frank, Jones served as a Tree Committee member for many years and as chairperson from 2021 to 2024, stepping into the huge shoes of nine-year Chairperson Dennis Roach, who now serves on the Holladay Planning Commission.  

“Travis brought a distinctive energy to the Tree Committee meetings that was robust, inspirational and contagious,” Frank said. “His optimistic, easy-going, humble spirit only enhanced his invaluable tree expertise, problem-solving strengths, steadfast accountability and spontaneity to dig into any daunting project with a can-do attitude.”

A Rocky Mountain Power senior utility forestry arborist, Jones was recognized as a national semifinalist for the 2012 Alliance for Community Trees Volunteer of the Year Award. At the time, he was serving as board secretary on the Holladay Tree Committee. 

“Travis was our nonstop point man during the city of Holladay Arbor Day celebrations and tree giveaways,” Frank said. “He has identified, inspected, selected, ordered, lifted, hauled, transported, delivered, planted, climbed, trimmed, watered, protected, preserved, hugged (all but a spiky Joshua tree, of course) and conducted rigorous service projects on behalf of the Tree Committee—plus served as an influential, unflappable voice advocating for the sustainability of our urban forest.”

Committee chair member Cecilie Mattison took the lead in organizing the tree dedication. She expressed, "Volunteer arborist Travis Jones was an advocate for our city’s trees and an invaluable mentor and friend for other volunteers on the Holladay Tree Committee. I hope that Travis felt our love and appreciation today.” 

The Holladay Tree Committee is always in need of new committee members who reside in Holladay City and share a passion for trees. Recently, Jones relocated to Oregon, and the committee is currently seeking a certified arborist to serve on the committee. If you would like more information about the Tree Committee or how you can help Holladay’s urban forest, please email Jonathan Teerlink at [email protected].

Wendy Frank and Travis Jones. “Travis served as a Tree Committee member for many years and as chairperson from 2021 to 2024,” said Tree Committee member Wendy Frank. (Photo courtesy of Cecilie Mattison)