Trees We Loved on Our Summer Vacations
by Bonnie Allen
We asked our members what trees graced their summer vacation, and many responded. We invite you to submit your own summer tree memories in the comments.
Lendri Purcell, Volunteer on Teen Tree Corps Committee: “Thanks for asking about this. I took a ton of tree photos on our trip to the big island! In fact, we stayed in a tree house nestled in a Monkey Pod Tree (I wish I had a photo of that). The first photo is of a Monkey Pod tree in Hilo. They are amazingly beautiful. My kids were lying underneath one imagining what it would be like to be a monkey living in a tree like that. The second is a reforestation effort on a relatively recent lava field by fissure 8 that covered our friend's home in 80 feet of lava a few years ago in Pahoa. It seems hard to believe that the coconuts will take root on what just appears to be lava, but I guess it happens. :)”
Suzanne Clarke, Volunteer Advisor and former President, Petaluma Garden Club: My Staycation: “To escape the extreme heat of the sun, I sat under a beautiful and lush evergreen tree with delightful coral, bell-shaped blossoms that were a delight to a monarch butterfly, hummingbird, and bees during my few minutes sitting there.”
Claire Jahns, Volunteer Advisor on Urban Forestry and Grants: “We went to Arcata for a weekend getaway and spent the morning at the farmer’s market. Our daughter found the perfect perch for snacking and people watching. It was occupied with kids all morning - it’s great to have trees to play in!”
Charlie Little, Releaf Newsletter Editor: “After years of time spent in the Sierra Nevada, I "discovered" the largest stand of quaking aspen in the Sierra, in a place called Bell Meadows. I love the way the leaves twinkle in the slightest breeze and give us brilliant yellows in the fall. On the east side of the Sierra they often grow near magnificent old Jeffrey Pines. The "Gentle Jeffrey" has cones with its "prickles" turned inward, differentiating it from the more common Ponderosa Pine.”
Jessica Holten-Casper, Teen Tree Committee Facilitator: “My son and I briefly visited Vancouver Canada this Summer and I was struck by the sheer volume of trees they had in their city. It was absolutely beautiful and created a calming balance to the activity of the city (not to mention shade and beauty). It was also very inspiring, and demonstrates what is possible in creating an urban forest.”
Wendy Jacobs, Releaf Chair: We spent a day in the Big Apple and walked all around. This sudden view when crossing a street in Chelsea made my heart jump. For a moment it looked like the Empire State Building was alone in a forest of big trees and it was a beautiful fantasy.
Bonnie Allen, Releaf Blogger—yes, that’s me! We stayed pretty close to home this summer, but being in the shade under my live oak tree is like a vacation. Over the years I’ve watched this tree grow from a sapling to a great spreading canopy. Three other oak trees have reached maturity during my 45-year tenure in this spot, and one is a rambunctious adolescent. During our one summer outing, the huge trees we saw on the Johnstone trail near Inverness were unforgettable.
