SPL LIVING
Top, the well-known kapok tree on the south lawn of the Museum
Rexford Stead, in 1965.
55 March/April 2020 StPeteLifeMag.com
place to live in Florida has
wreaked some havoc on our
tree canopy. In spite of the
redevelopment and
unscrupulous landscape
practices continue to create
a net loss of trees. Likewise,
recent state legislative
actions have removed
tree ordinance protection
mechanisms from the
toolbox of cities and counties
statewide.
To help combat these
tree-reduction factors,
the new Urban Forestry
Committee of the City
Beautiful Commission (CBC)
will be focusing on building
awareness and common
cause to protect the trees we
have and regrow our canopy.
The aim is to engage
citizens, neighborhoods and
community organizations,
alongside planners,
public works, police, and
developers to personally and
strategically invest in the
future of our urban forest.
As the longest-standing city
committee, CBC is moving
forward to bring the public
into the important work of
growing the city’s precious
greenscape.
Trees are the ultimate multitaskers.
When we choose
trees as a low-cost strategy
go well beyond carbon
reduction. The urban heat
is a very real phenomenon
occurring in our heavily
built-out city and county.
UHI is the result of excessive
paving, higher energy use
and the corresponding
generation of waste heat
that occurs in urban areas
where air temperatures
are higher than their rural
surroundings.
Projections for an increase
in the number of continuous
daytime temperatures over
90 degrees provide some
urgency to our plans to
expand the canopy. And the
from there. Reforestation
also provides a green
infrastructure that improves
water quality by minimizing
support the local birds and
other wildlife we love –
wildlife that relies on trees
for food, shelter, nesting and
water.
Furthermore, studies
point to well-placed trees
preventing crime and in
making neighborhoods feel
safer. We are far more likely
to enjoy the outdoors in
areas where trees provide
shade and a comfortable
space for socializing, keeping
and building stronger
neighborhood networks.
In 2017, the St. Petersburg
Sustainability Council
published the “Legendary
Calendar, where trees from
every St. Pete district came
with a story of that tree,
adding to the beautiful,
historic tapestry of life in
St. Petersburg. In the end,
people just love trees. Nearly
everyone has a tree story
and feels protective of his or
an urban forest encourages
all of us to relax and enjoy
of place that adds to the
pleasure of living in St.
Petersburg and its vibrant
neighborhoods.
Cathy Harrelson is
President of St. Petersburg
Sustainability Council and
Chair of the CBC Urban
Forestry Committee.
The Charles Oak along Booker Creek in Historic Roser Park appears
in 100-year-old vintage postcards and is a neighborhood landmark.
It’s estimated to be close to 200 years old and is named after Charles
Roser, the founder of Roser Park.
Thumb’s Up
St. Petersburg’s annual Arbor Day celebration, the Green
Thumb Festival on April 25-26 at Walter Fuller Park, is a great
place to pick up a sapling and learn about proper planting
include Ask an Arborist, free pine seedlings, plant, soil and
water diagnostics, children’s crafts, education programs and
tent, exhibits by local groups and organizations and more.
Hours are 9 am to 4 pm both days, Walter Fuller Park is at
7891 26th Ave. N in St. Petersburg. Go to stspeteparksrec.org/
greenthumb for more information or call (727) 893-7441. To learn
more about the City’s Gift Tree Program, call (727) 893-7441.
PHOTO/SUSAN ROBERTSON PHOTO/KATHLEEN MURPHY POSEY
/StPeteLifeMag.com
/greenthumb