What do these cities have in common?
They are considered the top ten cities in the US for urban forests. That is urban, as in Downtown, not suburban. Out here in the 'burbs, you'd better bring your sun hat.
Of course we have the shady neighborhoods here and there - those that when entering in summer, even with the AC cranked on high, bring on an Ahhhhh moment. Arden Park, where my parents bought their first home, is making quite the comeback after years of tree neglect. Many of the mistletoe choked Modesto Ash trees have been replaced with healthier, more colorful varieties. Don't know if it'll ever be a place where the trees meet over the street to tickle each other, but it's a vast improvement.
We don't live in Arden Park, where there are crews that will actually come and dig your tree holes for you. Nope, we are on our own here in the Land of Squinting and Sweating. So it was with great anticipation that we awaited our three trees from the Sacramento Tree Foundation. After driving through Arden Park last fall, we had decided on two Trident Maples and one Crape Myrtle. Our urban forester Pamela came and spray painted the spots where they will go. And then we waited.
On our driveway last week were the trees, otherwise known as the Little Saplings. I tried not to laugh because it's not polite to look a gift tree in the trunk. It's hard imagining these tiny things ever shading more than a svelte earthworm. But we will plant them, water them, talk to them - whatever it takes to get some shade and personality in the front yard. Suburban forest, here we come.
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| We are trees, we really are. |
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| My tail is taller than these things. |
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| Let's hope for that fast growth. |
