After a storm of this magnitude, two things about our trees become abundantly clear. The first is that we cannot afford to neglect the health and safety of our landscapes. Every tree has what we call an associated risk, and having this information is critical to making good decisions about the type of service a tree requires. The other side of the coin, however, is that beautiful mature trees are invaluable additions to our properties, and we truly miss many of those that we’ve lost.
With Earth Day and Arbor Day passing recently, I have been thinking a lot about the legacy of trees. During a visit to the Barnard School in New Rochelle, we talked to kids about the benefits of trees: from oxygen production and carbon sequestration to shading our houses and providing homes for birds and animals. It can be easy to forget the magnitude of something when you work with it everyday, and this was a great opportunity for reflection.
We are in a unique position in time right now where we are really beginning to embrace land stewardship as an individual responsibility. Many of us seek out organic local produce; choosing native plants for landscaping is gaining popularity; and we’ve made environmental science a priority in what we teach our children and ourselves. We have the opportunity to leave behind a legacy of changed habits and renewed responsibility.
Caring for our trees so that they can be enjoyed by future generations is a part of that legacy. After a large storm, it is especially important to have your trees assessed for damage. However, regular assessments and long term care are the keys to keeping trees healthy and safe for years to come, and we should not lose sight of that goal. Also, I urge you to consider replacing lost trees with those that will stand the test of time. Our landscapes today would be much less majestic if our predecessors had planted short-lived ornamentals.
Sincerely,
Ken Almstead, CEO International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist NY0335
