Caretakers and The City

Recently my city experienced 2 back-to-back extreme storms. These types of storms are being experienced throughout the US and across the globe. We aren’t unique and this seems to be the new norm. As I see the destruction and relive my own stress during that period, I wonder what it is that we can learn from this experience.  One thing seems to be that well intended policies created a decade or more ago to preserve an environmental goal may no longer be relevant. Portland is known for its trees and great pride is taken in preserving Douglas Firs, oaks, maples, and walnut trees that keep our city green. I can see 2 beautiful Sequoia trees that are 100’+ tall from my house. They are amazing and have an entire eco-system high up in the branches. These trees also share a 4,200 sq. foot lot with a house and at least one other tree. Some of these homes (and trees) are over 100 years old. Further, these magnificent trees are mere feet from fences, garages and homes. As I stood looking out at my neighbor’s stand of firs, 10’ from his roof and 30 feet from my house, watching them sway heavily with each 50-mph gust of wind, and laden with ice, I was feeling concerned. I sensed a conflict between well intentioned policies and the reality of change.
 
As residents of the city clean up and negotiate with arborists, plumbers, insurance, and the city itself, conflict is emerging. The city’s strict guidelines for tree preservation and the lack of autonomy for individual homeowner decision-making and safety has come to a head. Climate change means that trees and plants are stressed. For survival, the roots of some of these great trees are shallow in order to get enough water during the dry summers. Then the rains come, and it loosens the soil. Add the high winds that blow through the Columbia, and you have a giant potential killer. There are multiple stories emerging from these recent storms about how a tree fell on or near a home just missing a child or family member. Fortunately, most of the damage is to a structure that can be repaired and rebuilt. However, families are displaced, and lives are disrupted.
 
I love trees and am saddened when I drive out to the coast and through the mountains where there are visible scars from clear cutting. Whenever a see a logging truck, I “hear” the trees crying (or maybe it is just me). I love the greenness of my city; it is one of the reasons I chose to live here. I also see a city that is tearing down trees and communities to allow for development. The development approach is less tree and green oriented. The priority is maximizing the number of living units. This priority seems to increase heat as it reduces green space and includes no tree canopy. It almost seems that the city itself conflicts with its own policies.
 
The autonomy of the “current caretaker” of a tree (my neighbor of one of the giant sequoia trees referred to herself as such, which I loved!) is also responsible for the land, home and family that lives there. Decisions about whether a tree should remain or be removed is more complex than just a policy. The citizen resident lives with or next to a tree every day, gets to know that tree. If that citizen has a concern or request to remove a tree, the city representative has the opportunity to have a conversation with that resident. They can listen with curiosity, try to understand the perspective and work together to create an agreeable solution. Perhaps there is some assistance or guidance that can be offered. At the very least, empathy for understanding both the great responsibility that trees are for the humans (watering, picking up leaves, pruning) and the risks that they also pose (expensive maintenance, neighbor complaints, safety). Trees don’t have voices and humans need to be their voice and advocate. As the caretakers of these trees, many of these beautiful giants were planted before the current caretaker was born; we inherited the responsibility. And the trees that we plant today, will come into their own beauty long after we are gone, becoming someone else’s responsibility. The trees are counting on us to work together so that we can cohabitate together in peace. We need each other to be healthy.

#trees #conflictmanagement #cityofportland