• In memory of trees continued……………
• a domino effect towards further consequences-all from cutting down our trees.
• I find it fascinating that we make such a big environmental deal over saving the Brazilian Rain Forest (which I believe is important). I ask how hypocritical can you get? Other countries have to save their forests but not us, even through the U.S. was the catalyst for starting the destruction down there to begin with, just ask a Rockefeller.
• The rainforest, as we know, provides medical value to mankind as well as climatic benefits. Well so do our trees. Did you know that the older a tree is the more medicinal it is – it radiates higher quality oxygen. Of course, this is not just a problems here in southwest Florida; the effects are felt nationwide. The cutting of trees has produced mud slides in California, deathly temperatures in urban areas, contaminated air, extinct wildlife (namely predators) and over abundant bothersome insects with no natural predators, the list goes on.
• It all starts with cutting down trees the way we do. I believe we can come up with far more intelligent approaches and alternatives when it comes to development and building. You may say it’s an economical issue; developers need to cut their cost to make more saleable houses. I say we’re only shooting ourselves in the foot for now, and in the head later on. How we treat our nature, trees and all, reflects how we are as human beings. Are you tapping into your higher self and staying in touch with the big picture and its ramifications or are you still entangled with your lower self not being able to see the forest through the trees? We’re one of the last places in this country that can still enjoy the abundance of nature that we’ve all been blessed with, and we’re throwing it all away in the name of progress. I don’t mean to stop all development, I only asked for us to consider more intelligent options.
• For any of you who are on the fence if you will, looking at both sides of the issue, I suggest you get a hold of some music by Enya entitled "The Memory of Trees". Listen to the title track and stand near some tall old majestic trees or drive by them while you’re listening to this song, look up at then and tell me you don’t feel their cry for help. Raise your consciousness, my friend, go out and make a difference.
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• A Special Tree Treat
• Kudos to the Plantation Homeowners Association who are planting 300 seedlings after Collier County ordered homeowners in the neighborhood near Radio Road to cut all non-native trees (Brazilian pepper and Melaleuca) due to the county’s exotics removal law. What’s interesting is that the County is enforcing this law on homeowners but don’t comply with it themselves on some of its own land. The Plantation Homeowners Association won a grant from the National Tree Trust in Washington D.C. to plant the seedlings. Hurry for community action and giving back to our planet what was taken away.

: Barbara Montero