Quercus on 33rd: did you see the new ALA Median trees?
Two new median plantings!
Between 27th and 28th on Ainsworth (at right)
A fruiting Tupelo with some maturity — should be very showy with color in the fall and terrific for birds. The old Norway maple that fell is now gone, and the stump has been ground. The Tree Team dug the hole, ended up using a sawzall (!!) to clear massive roots, and then — we realized the new tree was deeply rootbound after being in a pot for a year (perhaps why the nursery sold it to us for so cheap!).
Jim Gersbach and Mallory Pratt worked for an hour to loosen the roots, noting that science shows you can be aggressive about root trimming and the tree will be healthier for it. Nice to meet you, Thad and Suki!
And thanks to the passersby who cheered on our planting efforts. This work comes from our own pockets and elbow grease, so we really appreciate hearing from the neighbors!
33rd and Ainsworth, east-side of the intersection (below)
Now growing: a Quercus ariifolia or Mexican Sierra Madre oak. Grown from acorns gathered by the owners of Cistus nursery, this drought-tolerant evergreen oak will add winter foliage to that busy intersection. At 60 - 80 ft in height at maturity, this is a great replacement for the dead Norway maple that was removed.
It is listed as Nearly Threatened species in its home range, due to habitat loss and increasing summer temperatures as our climate warms.
Thank you to Jim Gersbach for acquiring this tree last year in preparation for a new home. We are grateful to Urban Forestry for agreeing to let us plant this tree.
