DO SOMETHING FOR TREES!

BY Ella Tyler

I drove through part of the University of Texas campus a few weeks ago and was reminded of my introduction to environmental activism. It was 1969, and many of my friends were protesting the expansion of Memorial Stadium and the impending destruction of trees along Waller Creek. In their “Axe Erwin” campaign, they wrote letters to elected officials, picketed, appeared on talk shows, and even sat in trees.

I would have been right there with them, but was in the hospital. One of the letters from my mother says, “I’m sorry you are so miserable, but it is a relief to look at the TV news and know that you aren’t sitting in a tree staring down a bulldozer.”

As I drove along Kirby Drive between Richmond and Westheimer this week, I was pleased to see that trees still inspire environmental activism. The trees are decorated with bright green bows that bear signs saying “Save our trees,” and give Mayor White’s e-mail address and Trees for Houston’s URL.

According to , Trees for Houston, which is way more environmentally friendly than the mimeographed handbills my friends used, the Upper Kirby TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) plans to widen this section of Kirby by 14 feet, which will require removal of approximately 300 trees that presently line the street. The site goes into extensive detail about the project.

Upper Kirby’s web site isn’t as informative but the Chronicle story gives plenty of detail.

Upper Kirby is hosting a “Kirby Drive Drainage/Mobility Improvements Public Meeting” this Saturday, September 15 from 9 to 11 am at 3015 Richmond Avenue, Main Conference Room. Upper Kirby will have a board meeting Wednesday, September 19, at 8 am, at 3015 Richmond.

Go to these meetings. These events are for public input, and no technical expertise is needed. Many of us use Kirby Drive regularly, and we are entitled to say how our tax money is used. If you want to prepare, Google directed me to three blogs that provide broader views of the issue. It’s not as simple as “big trees or (room for) big cars?”

Take a look at “Trees for Houston vs. the Upper Kirby District TIRZ”;
“Kirby Drive reconstruction plans pose important questions, trade-offs”; and .“Kirby widening poses dangers”.

For another way to save trees, check out the Organic Horticulture Business Association’s lecture on Tuesday, September 18. Peter Wild, an organic arborist, will speak on tree care, essential tree biology, how to prevent problems with trees, and how to have great success with trees. He started Boston Tree Preservation, an organic-based proactive tree care business, and also developed Soil Solutions, the first completely organic lawn care program in Boston. For more details, see the Association’s website or call (713) 957-0909.

Trees For Houston has an Urban ForesTree Keeper program each October. The class teaches the basics of tree identification, proper planting techniques, site suitability, pruning, fertilization, and after-planting care. The course also emphasizes the important environmental role trees play in our city. Classes meet the first four Tuesdays in October from 6 to 8 pm and on Saturday, October 20 from 9 am to noon. The classes are at 4550 Post Oak Place Drive. The fee for the entire series is $20. To register, go to the Trees for Houston website.