Local Man's Efforts Help Keep Radnor Ever-Green

Goodwill doesn’t just grow on trees — at least not in this region. But because of the goodwill put forth by men like Bill Thomas, trees are thriving all throughout Radnor Township. 

As director of Chanticleer Gardens in Wayne, Thomas is one of the region’s most vocal proponents of trees and their importance. He has spent his career cultivating the cultural soil, ensuring that as long as men like him are involved, there will always be trees for future generations. 

“Even as a boy, I loved trees.” 

“I grew up in a small Mid-western town, and we had beautiful trees," said Thomas. "A lot of the trees were dying because of disease. And it became clear to me that unless people started planting trees, there wouldn’t be any to enjoy.”

Thomas, a Wisconsin native, moved to Radnor Township in 2003. He had previously worked at Longwood Gardens and lived in Kennett Square.

But a new career opportunity arose for the horticulturist, bringing him, and his expertise to the community. He accepted an offer from Chanticleer Gardens and has since served as the director and head gardener. 

Chanticleer is a 35-acre pleasure garden that opened to the public in 1993. Over the past two decades, the former Rosengarten Estate has served the region as an inspiring backdrop for nature enthusiasts of all kinds.

“We do horticulture classes with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,” said Thomas. They also host art classes with the Wayne Art Center’s botanical illustrators and two photography workshops very year in the scenic setting.

Guests can wander the grounds or go on one of the guided tours, where adults and children to explore the gardens more in-depth and learn about the history of the property.

There are more than 5,000 different varieties of plant life at Chanticleer. But for Thomas to pick a favorite may just be impossible.

"I’m especially appreciative of the big trees.”

“Usually whatever is in front of me at the moment is exciting me the most, at the moment,” said Thomas. 

Trees are more than just aesthetically pleasing, he explained, as they make areas cooler in the summer and they absorb water and help with drainage issues. Thomas also works to keep the trees, not only in the gardens at Chanticleer, but all around the area healthy, keeping them strong so they can survive any attack.

“Most injuries to trees happen to the roots,” he explained. “So encouraging people to not walk on the roots of trees or drive on the roots of trees, are the best things to do to keep a tree healthy.”

Much of this expertise comes in handy in his work with The Shade Tree Commission, a Radnor Township commission that Thomas has been a part of for the past seven years.

It’s this dedication that Radnor Township Commissioner Kevin Higgins most admires.

“When I was on the Park and Rec board I was a liaison with the Shade Tree Commission and saw people with knowledge that was very valuable, literally donates their professional expertise to the Township,” Higgins said.

The Shade Tree Commission is a local advisory board that helps evaluate plans in terms of taking down trees and replacing trees, explained Higgins.

They make recommendations, look over construction documents and ensure that the existing trees on a property are being protected. They also do a lot of advocacy work.

Though Chanticleer Garden and the Shade Tree Commission have worked together for many years now, during the past decade, encompassing all of Thomas’ tenure, the local garden has donated more than $200,000 in trees to the Township.

“The Radnor Conservancy has also taken up a leadership role to make sure trees are planted, so they disserve a lot of credit for taking care of trees as well as planting trees,” he credited.

“Chanticleer is very happy to be in Radnor and we are happy to help support the township and other organizations’ in their efforts to keep the township a wonderful place to live and work,” said Thomas.

And work he shall — in the garden and in the community.