It feels like itsa国际传媒檚 been all about trees for me for at least the last four years. Thatsa国际传媒檚 when I discovered the shady benefits of the dramatic American Elms of Pentictonsa国际传媒檚 Westminster Avenue. These classic bouquet-shaped trees grace a wide 1950sa国际传媒檚 era boulevardsa国际传媒 grand entrance from Pentictonsa国际传媒檚 NW corner into Pentictonsa国际传媒檚 core.
Alas, this inviting treed entrance was shortly made redundant by the Channel Parkway, a high speed extension of Highway 97 along the Eastern boundary of the city.
Fortunately the Westminster Boulevard remained and the American elms continue to offer a colourful four blocks of rare tree canopy coverage. Power Street going south from Westminster is also a beneficiary of wise forethought, with a slightly more recent addition of American elms.
I was a bit worried when I saw how ragged all these trees looked after our deep temperatures of last winter, but they recovered beautifully. Through almost seven months of the year the elms have offered a leafy, restful, and rare natural feature.
In spring, brilliant lime-yellow leaves glow in early morning or late afternoon light. Fully leafed out in summer, leaves fill the street with cool greens and ample shade. Then offer a spectacular golden-yellow Fall cascade.
On a visit to the roof-top patio of a recently added hotel I discovered the elm canopy completely screened the street belowsa国际传媒 delightful earth centric view. Most impressive from my perspective, the three boulevard trees immediately below had been successfully protected during hotel construction. Isa国际传媒檓 very happy about that!
Other trees may not be so fortunate as other components of Pentictonsa国际传媒檚 NW Gateway Plan rolls out. Proposed developments often design for minimal set-backs and request boulevard access variances.
Thankfully most of the elms have survived and flourished so far, and were officially certified as healthy just a couple of years ago. Renowned for their longevity, they could be with us for another 75 years.
Thatsa国际传媒檚 good news as the American Elm has faced some serious health issues on itsa国际传媒檚 home territory, the Eastern US, where itsa国际传媒檚 stately girth, spreading canopy and gentle shade created a preference over all other trees.
For folks who love our trees and with deep concern for Pentictonsa国际传媒檚 declining tree canopy, in April 2022 I created a tree oriented Facebook group. A growing awareness of trees and community tree oriented advocacy had an impact. Just a few weeks ago, on August 20, Pentictonsa国际传媒檚 City Council approved an Urban Forest Management Plan!
Perhaps not the robust document Isa国际传媒檇 hoped for, but one definitely designed to focus careful attention on our very important tree canopy and our economically valuable green infrastructure.
Although almost everyone loves trees, we are often short-sighted about their benefits. Trees enhance our well-being, cool our streets (as much as 10 sa国际传媒� 20 degrees Celsius), create happier kids, clean our air, reduce run-off, flooding and landslide impacts, and provide wildlife habitat.
Great Horned owls nested in Westminster elms last spring!
In a changing world, trees, their shade and other benefits are a very valuable natural asset.
To contact Dianne please go to writer@diannebersea.com
