Replace those we’ve lost
By Eric Dusenbury
While I am not the Lorax, I am here to speak for the trees. We have recently seen some high-profile trees fall in our Candler Park neighborhood. In response, neighbors have cut down trees they are concerned may fall on their house. I understand why people are taking down trees; I took one down myself. However, I am still saddened when I see it occur.
Big shade trees have been a defining trait of and benefit to Candler Park for the 31 years I have been fortunate enough to live in the neighborhood. I receive a sense of peace whenever I make the turn from Moreland onto McLendon and enter the shade provided by the trees along the street.
Trees clean the air we breathe, provide shade during the sweltering summer heat, give habitat and food for many animals, sequester carbon, and even shelter us from some of the urban noise that surrounds us. Studies have shown the presence of a tree lowers one’s blood pressure. The benefits of trees are many.
So before you cut down a tree, I encourage you to have an independent arborist, one not associated with a tree company, evaluate the health of the tree. If you have to cut down a shade tree, plant a couple replacements, preferably similar species that will grow large and contribute to the tree canopy that defines Candler Park and Atlanta.
We are in prime tree-planting season. The months of October–March are the best times to plant a tree. Planting during this period gives the trees time to establish roots and settle in before the spring and summer growing season.
We are fortunate to have a great tree resource in Atlanta. Trees Atlanta not only provides information on how to properly plant a tree, but through their Front Yard Tree Program they will come to your house and plant your tree for you. You can find more information about this program on their website https://www.treesatlanta.org/yardtree/.
Eric Dusenbury is a 31-year resident of Candler Park and a past CPNO Board member.