By James R. Turner

A recent site on email (See How Tree-Friendly Your City Is, Washington Post), got me thinking again of the impact of the environment on our daily lives.  What is proven is that the abundance of trees corresponds with one’s longevity.  What?  Yes, you live longer if your town has good tree cover.  The reasons are simple.  Shade from trees reduces cancer from sun exposure. Trees create more and better oxygen supply. Trees reduce temperatures, thus less stress from heat, not only physically but psychologically.  Trees also help with air conditioning needs, lowering costs.  Trees outside the house can lower temps by 5 to 11 degrees.  Putting trees on the west side of your house is good to reduce both heat and glare from eye strain and visits to the ophthalmologist.  Some trees produce good, edible fruit.  Trees impact the real estate value of a house.  And the list goes on.  Trees in the “urban” landscape are a major factor in its desirability, health, costs, and comfort.  Trees are a good return for the investment.

Presently there is no plan to introduce or reintroduce a tree planting program or a plan to develop a canopy of trees.  There have been in the past.  Hmm, very interesting.  In Leesville and Vernon Parish, trees are everywhere where people are not.  We take them for granted, seldom replacing fallen trees or planting new ones in the village spaces and edges where once a forest stood.  I believe we would welcome being healthier and more attractive to elders, retirees, middle-age workers, and young people.  How?  By simply planting trees.  Leesville in particular is ripe for renewal. It is naturally attractive with its unusual rolling hills right in the heart of downtown.  And what better way than having trees everywhere we can?

I have a dream of planting, for example, the majestic longleaf and shortleaf pines all along our streets and any available green or vacant spaces.  These two trees were the dominant, climax, forest types when wagons first rolled down Nolan Trace.  Don’t confuse them.  These two are not the commercial pines that we see aboard logging trucks headed to nearby chip, pulp and lumber mills.  I am in fact growing longleaf pines in a small meadow only three blocks from the old courthouse downtown.  They are doing quite well.   Another reliable, fast-growing, native tree is the old-fashioned Catalpa, with its handkerchief-size flowers that are coming into bloom just now.  And don’t forget the standbys: magnolias, live oaks and sycamores.

I don’t expect folks will jump on the bandwagon and start imagining trees like I do.  No, not yet, but one can dream.  Louisiana grows stuff, and if we in Vernon Parish are wise, we could get a jump on this simple, inexpensive wonder and start planting trees in the city.  Remember, if a tree doesn’t work, it can be removed.  It’s a good thing even when done in excess.  Thus, a toast, “May you plant a tree or two this year, dear friend, lengthen your life, the greatest revenge.”