Getting green

By World's Editorial Writers - 11/2/2009


One thing Tulsa has always been famous for is its abundance of trees. It's a source of pride for all Tulsans. New visitors to Tulsa are often surprised to see so many trees. It was disheartening when the 2007 ice storm damaged or destroyed so much of the city's flora.

That is why Tulsa is so fortunate to have an organization such as Up With Trees. Through a gift from the Apache Foundation, an arm of Apache Corp., volunteers last week unloaded 10,000 new trees to be planted throughout the city on nonprofit and faith-based organizations' property. The shipment included weeping willows, redbuds, Chinese pistachio and bald cypress.

Not only do trees add beauty and serenity to Tulsa, but they also clean the air. Studies show that they also are linked to reduced crime, and children with window views of trees and greenery perform better in school.

Last week's was actually the second shipment this year. The Apache Foundation donated the first 10,000 trees in April. They have already been planted.

This effort, along with Up With Trees' regular programs, could not come at a better time. Even though the disastrous ice storm of 2007 is almost two years past, Tulsa's urban forest continues to suffer. Damage from that storm was so extensive that, left to natural re-growth alone, it would not recover for years and years.

Thanks to Apache and the volunteers at Up With Trees for helping to restore Tulsa to its original beauty.


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Tulsa World Reader Comments
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Michael Phillips, Tulsa (11/2/2009 6:22:51 AM)
How many people are needed to plant 10,000 trees?

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/2/2009 8:09:57 AM)
I always liked the wooden signs stuck everywhere that say "up with trees". Adds a nice touch.

janeh, (11/2/2009 10:03:00 PM)
BRAVO!! :-)

owl, Tulsa (11/2/2009 11:19:28 PM)
'Even though the disastrous ice storm of 2007 is almost two years past, Tulsa's urban forest continues to suffer. Damage from that storm was so extensive that, left to natural re-growth alone, it would not recover for years and years.' My yard's a testimonial to that; still losing trees that haven't been able to recover, in spite of professional, therapeutic pruning. Yes, we are lucky to have such an organization as "Up With The Trees".

Loophole, (11/3/2009 8:37:18 AM)
If I hear "green" one more time . . .



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