Simultaneously, the shopping center owner planned to upgrade his part of Pear Tree Shopping Center by making the sidewalk area near some small trees more user friendly. He also planned to remove the big ash trees which were lifting the concrete, the peculiar planter/seating areas with the metal fencing, and lay out grassy areas with birch trees instead. This sounded agreeable except for the choice of birch trees, which do not produce dense shade.
Our own Berlin wall, set in stone
Thus began a Shade project to attempt to keep some or all of the mature trees. The short version of this story goes as follows: meetings with the local architect for the sidewalk portion of the project; talking about alternatives with Albertson's people; questions at City Planning; questions to a City Council member; conversations with a Pear Tree owner; conversations with Albertson's architect in Idaho.
Bad news. City Planning and the Planning Commission had approved all the changes with the original application; they were set in stone. Three years ago replacing the old trees with 50 young trees seemed like a good idea downtown. And as one planner said to me, "People don't seem to care that much about trees here." The picture was clear: Nothing Could Be Done.
Miraculously, all it took was a fabulous heat wave and a good newspaper reporter checking out an irate letter to the editor, pointing out the absurdity of sacrificing big trees for a puny nine parking spaces.
Hot people
Yes, people were hot. People wrote letters to the editor. Customers complained to Albertson's. City staff found out that people really do know how much growing time a tree needs to become a serious shade tree. The City Council heard from residents. One wonderful volunteer at the MEC offered to sit in the trees with friends. As she put it, "I'd love to do it; I've never been arrested in Ukiah!"
And the clincher: Albertson's dropped their corporate shield, acknowledged their customers and volunteered to be a good neighbor. I've written my thanks; maybe you would like to as well. Write to: Michael Reuling, Executive Vice President, Store Development, 250 Park Center Boulevard, Boise Idaho 83706.
If you want to see the new landscape plan, drop in at City Planning and ask for a look. They will be happy to show it to you. The new trees will be planted in the fall.
Everyone feels good about this one. I thank you all. I wish old growth could be saved this easily. But it is an example of the effectiveness of people speaking out for their silent friends. Trees contribute to our air quality, filter the runoff, lower summer temperatures, save salmonÑyou know all the ways.
They take care of us in so may ways and we do well to reciprocate.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1998
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited