By Jean Ponzi
Friends of Trees
They stand around us silently,
providing shade, inviting breeze.
How can we better value them?
Seed-thoughts for you,
from Friends of Trees.
Reed is a Tree Reader.
He inventories trees.
The factors he assesses are
our Urban Forest-tending keys:
Diameter at Breast Height (Size),
Condition, Species, Tree Location.
All important to inform a
smart Tree Maintenance foundation!
A Public Works Director
would commission stats like these
as responsible investment
in the services WE get from Trees.
Reed’s a speedy reading Pro,
applying broad Tree-Knowledge power
from work on every continent!
Reed reads two hundred trees per hour!
Gabe, the Arbor Doctor
is another Pro around the woods.
He employs a skillful, care-full crew
in well-paid outdoor livelihoods.
An arborist who’s Certified
has passed tough tests with Saws and Climbing.
Knows that trees, like people,
have specific needs for care and timing.
Like Oaks: Gabe will not prune them
past two months before new buds emerge
‘cuz Quercus cuts made later can
carve space for Oak Wilt’s fungal scourge.
Gabe climbs in lofty canopies
to prune off dead or dangling limbs,
protecting Trees and Properties
from human “Cut that thing down!” whims.
Dale is a Wood-Worker.
He designs and builds – and can he fix!
He gets structural with lumber,
wildly art-full when he plays with sticks.
When he sprouted right-relations
With a known-invasive woody
He began to turn the tables
On one plant mis-understoody.
He re-framed Bush Honeysuckle
(quite a problem: OUR transplanting)
as a place for conversation,
‘round a Table quite enchanting!
On legs of Honeysuckle sticks
Dale’s tables may look rinky-dink
But his play with Nature’s structures
works to make a person laugh – and think!
Rebecca grows Tree Partnerships,
providing sweet re-leaf
as she helps to heal communities
where tree-lessness roots grief.
Rebecca works where neighborhoods
not equitably tree’d
are striving – folks and Nature –
to make change that meets big need.
She knows everyone deserves a place
that’s beautiful and shady,
with clean air and cooling breezes
for each man and child and lady.
Restoring Urban Forest health,
Rebecca’s deep vocation,
partners trees and people, one-by-one,
in every possible location!
Trees are our Noble Neighbors!
Could we treat them as our Kin?
May we better know their Nature,
Wood-Beloved, thick or thin.
And now take a Bough, you Tree Friends,
as you Leaf us feeling keen.
Arboraceous! Sempervirens!
Understory’d, Evergreen!
Green Jean Ponzi first wrote for The Healthy Planet right around Earth Day, 1997. Her longtime environmental community radio talk show Earthworms has evolved on our new online station Community Radio STL to conserve your attention. Dig her pithy, three-minute Earthworms Castings feature at www.CRSTL.FM.