It feels like it鈥檚 been all about trees for me for at least the last four years. That鈥檚 when I discovered the shady benefits of the dramatic American Elms of Penticton鈥檚 Westminster Avenue. These classic bouquet-shaped trees grace a wide 1950鈥檚 era boulevard鈥 grand entrance from Penticton鈥檚 NW corner into Penticton鈥檚 core.
Alas, this inviting treed entrance was shortly made redundant by the Channel Parkway, a high speed extension of Highway 97 along the Eastern boundary of the city.
Fortunately the Westminster Boulevard remained and the American elms continue to offer a colourful four blocks of rare tree canopy coverage. Power Street going south from Westminster is also a beneficiary of wise forethought, with a slightly more recent addition of American elms.
I was a bit worried when I saw how ragged all these trees looked after our deep temperatures of last winter, but they recovered beautifully. Through almost seven months of the year the elms have offered a leafy, restful, and rare natural feature.
In spring, brilliant lime-yellow leaves glow in early morning or late afternoon light. Fully leafed out in summer, leaves fill the street with cool greens and ample shade. Then offer a spectacular golden-yellow Fall cascade.
On a visit to the roof-top patio of a recently added hotel I discovered the elm canopy completely screened the street below鈥 delightful earth centric view. Most impressive from my perspective, the three boulevard trees immediately below had been successfully protected during hotel construction. I鈥檓 very happy about that!
Other trees may not be so fortunate as other components of Penticton鈥檚 NW Gateway Plan rolls out. Proposed developments often design for minimal set-backs and request boulevard access variances.
Thankfully most of the elms have survived and flourished so far, and were officially certified as healthy just a couple of years ago. Renowned for their longevity, they could be with us for another 75 years.
That鈥檚 good news as the American Elm has faced some serious health issues on it鈥檚 home territory, the Eastern US, where it鈥檚 stately girth, spreading canopy and gentle shade created a preference over all other trees.
For folks who love our trees and with deep concern for Penticton鈥檚 declining tree canopy, in April 2022 I created a tree oriented Facebook group. A growing awareness of trees and community tree oriented advocacy had an impact. Just a few weeks ago, on August 20, Penticton鈥檚 City Council approved an Urban Forest Management Plan!
Perhaps not the robust document I鈥檇 hoped for, but one definitely designed to focus careful attention on our very important tree canopy and our economically valuable green infrastructure.
Although almost everyone loves trees, we are often short-sighted about their benefits. Trees enhance our well-being, cool our streets (as much as 10 鈥� 20 degrees Celsius), create happier kids, clean our air, reduce run-off, flooding and landslide impacts, and provide wildlife habitat.
Great Horned owls nested in Westminster elms last spring!
In a changing world, trees, their shade and other benefits are a very valuable natural asset.
To contact Dianne please go to writer@diannebersea.com
