Pacific Northwest Gardening: One Billion Trees, 1 by Poochella
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In reply to: One Billion Trees
Forum: Pacific Northwest Gardening
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Poochella wrote: I love this thread! Trees do mean so much currently and historically. I have a favorite too: the ancient elm in my Mom's yard in MN. Growing up, our town was a lovely, lazy berg with wide streets lined with 100+ yr old elms. Huge elms lined the main street with large branches arching across from either side either greeting or waving goodbye as you entered or left the center of town. I'll never forget the first time I went back to visit after Dutch Elm disease had wiped out about 90% of the elms in town in the 80's. That beautiful hill driving into town was barren! Cement! Sidewalks! Asphalt! Naked little houses with bare yards once protected by lovely shade, then nothing but toasted grass. Our beloved backyard elm, recorded on the MN Registry of Elms of Distinction (or some such list) by virtue of age and size of trunk, was at dire risk. My mom has worked for 20+years with the city foresters, state foresters, experts from the U of MN and spent thousands on treatment, carefully having at risk branches removed when they show up. The Elm Lives! It has been a haven for birds, squirrels, adventurous climbing kids, and a shadow for a beautiful swath of shade gardens. Every time I visit, I marvel at the elm and we all worry about the day it might have to come down once and for all. At 86 and an avid gardener, I think the loss of the elm would put a dent in my mom's psyche that could not be overcome. She has worked so hard on her gardens, her little backyard haven, I truly think she would be crushed as her shade garden would be lost. So loved is the elm that I did take a photo in October! It isn't nearly as full or lush as in its glorious past, many large branches have been cut away, but it still greets us, and protects the yard like a wonderful green umbrella. Part of the shade bed, 50 years of composting has left just marvelous soil for the hosta. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/poochella/shade garde... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/poochella/shade garde... |