Family and friends of Brian James Adams gathered Sunday morning to plant a tree and dedicate a grove in his memory.

“This grove will be a living reminder of the beauty that can come from even the hardest of seasons,” said his sister Kylie Adams-Weiss of Palmerton.

Adams died tragically at the age of 34 and was known for his warm personality and love of nature.

A living tribute of trees were planted off Silver Valley Road in Brodheadsville following a ceremony and unveiling of a welcome plaque to honor Adams’ life.

The grove includes 65 native trees and plantings selected for sustainability, ecological benefit, and long-term growth. Native oaks including red, white and black gum, which have scarlet leaves, and dogwood were among the trees planted. Giant Markets donated the trees.

The site will provide a peaceful place for reflection, remembrance, and community connection,” Adams-Weiss said.

The Adams grew up learning an appreciation of caring for nature, whether planting trees with their father or collecting trash outside.

According to his obituary, Brian was a kind and thoughtful man, compassionate and unconditionally caring to all he loved. He was known for his biting sarcasm and sense of humor, and always cracking jokes to diffuse a difficult situation; he was good for a laugh or a shoulder to lean on when things got tough.

He had a great love of the outdoors, often spending time with family and friends camping, canoeing and kayaking, or swimming in the ocean. For countless summers, Brian and his father and uncles would lead his various younger cousins through overnight river camping trips, boating and camping along the Delaware or Schuylkill rivers, swimming and finding rope swings and rocks to jump off along the way. He had a love of the beach, especially the Outer Banks, where you’d likely find him bodysurfing and catching waves in the sunshine.

Brian’s father, Bob Adams of Effort, is a certified arborist and does ecological restoration.

He explained that November is the best time to plant trees as “they can settle all winter and be ready for spring.” Adams chose this way to honor his son’s memory. “The grove is a much more lasting memorial.”

More than 30 volunteers showed up to help with the tree planting.

Chestnuthill Township and the Nature Conservancy purchased the land which will have an archery park for bow hunters to practice. Chestnuthill Township brush hogged the new grove area, getting rid of invasive shrubs.

Jim Vogt of Saylorsburg, a Master Watershed Steward, said that the 50 members in Monroe County did over 3,000 hours for the year in removing invasive plants and trees.

Vogt met Adams, along with many other volunteers, through the Master Watershed training program. It was explained that trees help protect the watershed during heavy rainstorms. Programs like this help restore damage done by development.

Bob Adams instructed people in planting, taking the cover off the root of the tree and loosening the dirt surrounding it prior to planting. Volunteers dug in, creating holes two times the size of each tree root, which will then be surrounded by small fencing to protect them from deer.

The Healing the Planet grant program through Giant Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful helped fund the project.

Family friend Rebecca Kennedy from the Lehigh Valley Water Coalition was thanked for writing the grant to secure funds for the project.

Adams-Weiss shared, “After a season of loss we can give back. Brian was always with his father planting trees. We can create beauty out of loss with family and friends. Our family is grateful for all of the support, to see this outpouring of love is just beautiful. ”

To get to the grove from Route 209 North turn left on Silver Valley Road and shortly on the right is a newly cleared path for car access.