Trees— Lasting Memories and Legacies

By Julie Thomas, PhD

Do your childhood memories include a special tree? Perhaps you picnicked under a tree — like the old, Cottonwood trees I knew. I don’t remember the meals — but I well remember the grooved bark of those trees. You too, no doubt, found a swing near a tree and remember the silent way that tree coaxed you to swing higher — so you could tap its leaves with your toes. 

Certainly, Lincoln’s community forest (130,000 public trees) affords tree-enjoyment opportunities throughout the city’s parks, trails, golf courses, roadway medians, and neighborhood street rights-of-way. Even brief Lincoln visitors remark on the seasonal, showcase beauty of our city-wide tree canopy. It is good that we appreciate our trees — as they also improve our health and well-being, lower our heating and air conditioning costs, prevent erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife.

Given the many benefits of trees, it makes sense for us to ensure our kids and grandkids gather lasting tree memories. Here are two Lincoln Community Forestry programs that can help you to get outdoors and engage your family in memorable tree experiences. Certainly, involving children in the planting, care, and maintenance of neighborhood trees today will help to safeguard continuing tree values for generations to come. For further details, contact  Lincoln Community Forestry.

The Adopt an Ash Program encourages Lincolnites to invest in the cost of managing public trees. While the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) introduced considerable loss to Lincoln trees, chemical treatments can minimize continuing damage in the surviving trees. This program permits the “adoption” (ownership and responsibility for ongoing care) of an ash tree near you. Permit applications are on the Community Forestry website.

The Street Tree Voucher Program supports adding trees to our own neighborhood. This cost-share option provides a $250 voucher to support the purchase and installation of a tree in the right-of-way adjacent to your property. The list of approved trees, participating local nurseries, and permit requirements are available on the Community Forestry website. 

For more information, contact Lincoln Community Forestry at 402-441-7847, ext. 0 or forestry@lincoln.ne.gov.

Julie Thomas, PhD, is a retired Science Educator and a Research Professor Emerita from the University of Nebraska and a contributing writer for 55+.