Poor Tree Usage:
Each of these examples could be contributing to the health of our community with just a bit of understanding and effort.
A very well established much older tree improperly pruned. Tree topping is not kind to any tree. The loss of shade will make this location a heat island, lowering livability in the neighborhood and the value of the house long term.
This small tree in Old Town needs to be cared for. More water would be a good idea to get the tree firmly establish. It may be too late for that and a replacement should be planted and cared for.
The small trees in the Target Parking lot are over 30 years old. (Also see the trees near J.C. Penney’s – 60 years old and small). They don’t get any bigger and they don’t provide relief from Heat Island effects. Size matters! Choose wisely.
This tree had its top chopped off. In fact a whole line of trees suffered the same abuse. Not only is this very unsightly, it is harmful to the health of the tree.
Here is a tree downtown that I call the “sparkler tree.” It reminds me of 4th of July sparklers and doesn’t provide much heat relief. The base has multiple ‘runners,’ which are not good.
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Do you think the two bushes in the photo on the left will offer any relief to this brand-new housing development?
The Lessons of History
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When our founding fathers took over the lands of south Puget Sound during the end of the 19th century, we were blessed with a dense forest that had supported the Puyallup people for thousands of years. Had we understood how valuable that forest was, we might have saved a few trees for future generations. Had we listened to the puyalapabs, we would have respected what was given to us.
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History and science together tell us trees are vital to a healthy environment for all forms of living beings. Of course we need places to live, but so do squirrels and birds and insects that form the foundation of the native habitat that nurtures our daily existence. The lessons of Tacoma’s history are clear. Cut down every tree and suffer the consequences. Placing higher priority on housing than retaining the natural foundation of our Pacific Northwest leads to uncomfortable and unhealthy living, no matter its cost. A healthy future for generations to come requires that we invest now in the restoration of our urban forest.
