SOF tree planting volunteers install replacements in community

FALLBROOK - According to Jackie Heyneman of Save Our Forest, "Sometimes trees just don’t make it for one reason or another." While the effort continues to add trees to Fallbrook's downtown area, at times re-plantings need to be done.

"Three trees were replaced recently," explained Heyneman. " One was due to deliberate vandalism - run over by a car that was carefully maneuvered between parking stops to push it over; the other two just gave up the ghost." One of the trees was located in the community parking lot (below Fallbrook Library) and the other in the parking lot of the Espresso Bar on Main Ave.

According to Heyneman, Save Our Forest put the trees into the ground during a one and a half hour volunteer work party.

"Two Chinese Elms ( Ulmus parvifolia) are to fill the holes in the tree canopy that will grow to shade the asphalt parking lot called a heat island in the Urban Forestry world," she explained. "The other, a Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Tuscarora, a hybrid) is replacing a tree originally adopted by Delyse Sharpe in memory of her husband. It will shade a bench in his memory also."

"People like Ms. Sharpe have helped SOF with their efforts to support Fallbrook revitalization," said Heyneman. "Trees create a more pedestrian-friendly shopping experience according to nationwide revitalization efforts."

Save Our Forest continues to work to maintain the trees they have planted over the last 20 years.

"Once again, a 20-year supporter, Rick Windbigler and his crew at Fallbrook Equipment Rentals, provided equipment that made a big task possible," explained Heyneman. "Volunteer support is very low at this point for routine care, which means minor pruning, occasional planting, and mulching to retain moisture and control weeds."

"Tree care is up to our community," she said. "It would be wonderful if residents could volunteer a couple of hours a month of their time. Considering that trees are the work horses of a healthful environment, it is a small price to pay. The rewards are not in dollars reaped for the small amount of time, but the pleasure they give. They are not to be taken for granted.

To learn more about helping Save Our Forest, call (760) 728-5395.