I Speak for the Trees....

As Nebraskans, we work hard for our trees. We are not blessed with large forested areas. Instead we must forest our land ourselves; after all we are the home of Arbor Day. We are devastated at the loss or injury to our trees after a storm has ravished its way through our neighborhoods. We are still feeling the sting of the October snow storm of 1997, and the more recent ice storms of the last year.

I was shocked to learn that since 1977 Nebraska has experienced a 50% loss of its community tree resources (according to ReTree Nebraska). This decline in trees is not only due to these acts of extreme weather, but also combines with severe drought, poor species selection, poor planting practices, and the spread of disease. One disease of particular concern is Pine Wilt. Pine Wilt attacks Scotch and Austrian Pines, (which are planted in abundance across the state), killing them before one can realize they have been infected. Not only is Pine Wilt a current threat to the trees of Nebraska, but we must now consider the very real threat of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) which is currently annihilating all species of Ash (Fraxinus sp.) in some state just to the East of Nebraska. Unfortunately, Ash is a dominant species in Nebraska; therefore, the result of the EAB will be devastating. According to the ReTree Nebraska Initiative, the Emerald Ash Borer has the potential of wiping out 25% of Nebraska’s tree population. Urban tree removal and replacement due to EAB in Nebraska could total $1.65 billion. Most experts believe that it is not a matter of IF EAB will reach Nebraska, but WHEN.

Fortunately for Nebraskans, we have professionals who are determined to lessen the severity of devastation we as a state will endure. The ReTree Nebraska Initiative has been formed to,

“…raise public awareness of the value of trees, reverse the decline of Nebraska’s community tree resource and improve the diversity and sustainability of trees in communities in Nebraska for generations to come. The primary goal of ReTree Nebraska is to work in partnership with people across the state to foster the planting and proper maintenance of one million new trees in cities and towns over the next decade.”

For the future of Nebraska’s tree community it will be important to correctly plant and properly maintain a planting of diverse species of trees. This will prevent such widespread devastation should another species be attacked as the Ash is currently. The proper planting and management of trees is also important as it is the weak trees which are first attacked.

"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please. But I'm also in charge of the Brown Bar-ba-loots who played in the shade in their Bar-ba-loot suits and happily lived, eating Truffula Fruits."

-The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss