The Heart of Our Community--TREES!

  Next time you're out driving or simply out for a stroll, take a look around. Take a look at the trees in our community. I believe strongly that trees speak volumes about a particular community. Our city's trees, landscape and environment radiate and induce an attitude. What do our trees say about us?

Do they speak of life and a thriving area? Do they speak to the business man as a place he should invest? Do they spread a sense of peace and security for our children? Do they sway in the wind as to say "welcome" to our home, we appreciate you coming? Do they say this is a place of longevity and maturity?
In our own community, the answer to these questions may be lacking in what we would hope our city to communicate.

I say this out of a passion to do better, see better. There truly is so much more to be done, to invest, not only into the trees, but into the very first impression of our city. We, of course, should care about a tree simply because it's nature's life giving gift to us. However, to those who think that's just hippie talk, how about caring for the economic benefit?

My heart hurts at times when I think how the condition of our trees communicate the mindset our community. Thinking about it at this moment, the parallels are striking!

As I drive along a newly constructed highway, I see young trees planted just this summer, most of them dead and crispy. This due to the lack of after care and no accountability held to the contractor. Our county's resources were used to plant those trees. YOUR resources were used to plant those trees in the hopes to beautify the entrance to our city. However, now they demonstrate a lack of diligence, a place where new things simply can't thrive. Let's begin to embrace new beginnings and nurture the defenseless.  

Seeing trees butchered by incompetent individuals disguised as tree care professionals is most disheartening. Trees with their entire tops lopped off do not communicate longevity and maturity. On the contrary, this scene communicates stunted growth and limited potential. It also illustrates a certain level of stupidity, unfortunately. Let's educate homeowners to know what's best for their trees, their investment!

I say all this with a heart of progression. I have a deep seeded hope that when we know better, we do better. Our trees are truly a reflection of us as a society. We are capable of reflecting beauty, strength, growth and refuge. I believe in the endless possibilities of a community who respect and value that which surrounds us.