Community Chat

[GingerPeach]

Here are words for a flyer I created because some in my community think it's OK to cut down perfectly healthy trees.  Long story behind it.

WHO WILL STAND UP FOR OUR TREES?

Before over 30 HEALTHY trees are destroyed, consider this:

Shade lost while temperatures climb.
New trees cannot catch up in time.

Birds lose homes and cover.
Pollinators may not recover.

One grown tree makes oxygen to breathe
For one human being a day, just with its leaves.

Baby trees cannot compete
Few roots, few leaves, their abilities incomplete.

But we’ve had no plans, no discussion, no chart.
Does it feel like our community’s been left in the dark?

There are other options:  transplanting, pruning, spray.
Through committees and education, we could choose another way.

[lovescats]

why are they cutting the trees down?

[kitcat51]

Spraying the trees for what? Lots of info missing. 

[GingerPeach]

Well, have a seat and go make yourself a cup of tea.

OK, you're back?  Well, now . . .

Our community has on its many acres mostly 40-year old trees.  People complain about inconvenience of dropped leaves, fruit, and, can you imagine, even flowers.

The most outcry has come in the past year because (and I happen to think it was deliberate), the board did nothing to control the olive crop on our many olive trees as had been done in the past because our current president has in mind to remove most of them so she can look good in the eyes of the residents who only see the problem and not the benefits of trees.

I'm not disputing that olive drop is a mess.  No argument there.  But, in years past, it was mostly under control due to judicious spraying and pruning for control.  

It's also important to remember the value of mature tree canopies.  As mentioned in the poem in the first post, one tree can provide enough oxygen per day to supply one human for one day.  Not only that, tree canopies help divert rainwater so sewers are less blocked, and they do ever so much more that young, potential,  replacement trees cannot for many, many years to come.

The main issue is that some mature healthy trees (not olives in this instance) were already cut down with no notice to either the residents or to the board.  No discussion.  The reason they were cut is because the president thought they interfered with her new landscape plan.

Now, I am not against refurbishing a landscape since admittedly there are places here that could use it.  

The issue is policy and procedure; rules and laws.  I am the only one currently on the board who seems to grasp this.  Others appear rather unfeeling about tree loss and act as if they think landscaping is just like redecorating.

Well, I could go on about all the other policies that have been broken and the legalities that have been skirted, but with management doing nothing to curtail her actions, and in fact, claiming she has the right (totally wrong, by the way). and the rest of the board clueless, my options are to find maybe a few souls who feel as I do and are willing to stand up, or leave the community.  I will eventually do the latter, but not right away if there is any chance to save more trees.

I even found a place that would remove and replace elsewhere, pretty much for free, any olive trees that are not close to underground utility lines.  But I did not have a chance to present that option because our rogue president does things without notifiying anyone.

I'm sure this does not explain everything but thanks for reading along if you got this far.  

As many of you know, I'm sure, it's hard to do what you believe in when you might be the only one who, dare I say it, gets the bigger picture?  I also know some of you willl ask, does she really get the bigger picture?

Whether I do or not, it breaks my heart to see a healthy tree removed, and now that I even more fully understand their benefits than I ever did before.

[Julie928]

@GingerPeach ~ Very nice poem.  It's unfortunate you had to write it, though.

When an elderly couple that lived across the street passed away the house was sold.  The house was then demolished and a beautiful, mature maple tree taken down in front of the house.  It made many of us sick since the couple that lived there planted it when they first moved in (and were first married).  We even have a photo of the wife as a young bride next to the (then) little tree.

Now stands a very large, out of place $700,000 home occupied by a husband and a wife.  (The unfriendliest people many of us have ever encountered).  In place of the beautiful tree they have planted a tiny tree.  Does this make sense? 

I have other stories since my property is loaded with mature trees and I seem to be surrounded by people only wanting "fun in the sun."  I don't know your situation but this is mine.  And yes, it is infuriating. 

[Oznell]

Terrrific poem, @GingerPeach.  I respect your dedication.

[sidsmom]

Yes, I totally love with a beautiful, mature tree.

BUT

If you watch PBS-The Old House for any period of time,

you’ll understand mature trees really tell a story under the ground.

Many different reasons why a mature tree would be removed.

Deep roots interfering with sewage system,

too much shade causing grass/vegetation not to grow..

even the tree itself mightshow signs of rot beginning,

putting the homeowner at risk of a tree falling on them.

I love the cause, but there might be for-the-greater-good reason

why they want to remove. 

[Sweetbay magnolia]

I have much respect for you and your efforts, @GingerPeach.  Keep fighting the good fight.  I think I remember you asking about street trees awhile back.

Is there a consulting arborist in your area that would be willing to provide an assessment of value (perceived not only in monetary terms, of course) and to help with replacement recommendations?

I have struggled with HOA boards in the past, over trees (among other things!).  I eventually did move to a community without one, because I got fed up with their malarkey.  Good luck. 🍃

[SilleeMee]

Around here people who have lots of trees near and around their houses cut them down as part of fire control. They clearcut at least 50 feet from their houses. It's very sad but it has to be done.

[GingerPeach]

Hi @sidsmom

Thanks for the comments.  I can say that, as a long time gardener and student of horticulture, I know about the issues mature trees can cause with sidewalks and more, but those are not any of the reasons this board president can use for the destruction of these healthy trees.  

By the way, too much shade is typically a rather bogus reason.  The issue can easily be solved by removing the grass and using mulch or planting something shade tolerant.   (For example, the ground cover kurapia has been shown to be a grass substitute and grows in both shade and sun.  There are also actual grasses that grow more readily in shade.)  That particular reason does not need to result in the loss of a mature tree.

I wouldn't have written the post or the rhyme if any of those reasons applied.