Today is Arbor Day and I have stopped normal business to participate in the 7:00 AM free tree giveaway sponsored by the Fort Wayne Arborists Association. At 1:00 PM today, I’ll be at Buckner Park for the Annual Mayor’s Proclamation/Tree Planting.
This morning, while handing out trees to interested citizens, it dawned on me how impassioned people are about planting trees; and rightly so. Tree planting is a sign of hope! It is a practical action in the belief that the future can be made better.
But, it is hard to motivate people in time and money to save trees! Inspiring tree planting is easy; precipitate commitments to do the things to insure larger trees, which are now contributing to the site, are not! There is a gap, in the valuation and in thinking, on what is needed for large viable trees to remain, be vital and grow in size and contribution.
Casting the vision for large tree preservation is pivotal to site future; it is the starting point! Large enough root zones and the needed micro-environment are mandatory to support a tree over its expected life. if the site can’t provide the 100’s of cu. ft. of root zone to support the trees structurally and sustain them physiologically for decades, its future is a guaranteed failure.
Want broad, full canopies, green cities in 2060? Give them root zones today! “Happy Arbor Day all!”
