One of the things we love about living on Omaha Street is the canopy of tall, deciduous trees which offer shade to our yards in the heat of the summers and wind breaks in the cold of winter.
Years ago, when my husband David hurt his back and couldn't move often or without great pain, he reported to me that relief came in the form of placing himself near a window to watch those great elms sprout and grow leaves, and watch the nest-building activity of the wildlife in the branches. These aren't just trees that are disposable; while disease may bring down the old ones, it's important to plant new ones.
At our neighborhood meeting yesterday, where about 35 people attended, we agreed to the following principles:
1. We want to replant the missing trees.
2. We will do what it takes to buy and plant the trees ourselves even if the City can't afford them.
3. We will care for the trees in their early years, with an agreement with the City until the City can afford their care again.
Beyond these rather short-term goals, we also want to make clear to the City that the Omaha Street median isn't just a median strip, like a strip mall or strip parking or the other ugly forms of that word. The Omaha Street elms are part of a natural park system in North Portland. It's labeled as a park in nearly every guide available online, and people use it as a park for daily activities like walking their dogs or playing games or simply enjoying a nice day of sunshine. Our parkway is a destination for the citizens of Portland.
If you want to be part of our group, or would like more information about the group and our intentions, please send us an email at OmahaTrees@gmail.com .
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