ABP [Always Be Planting!]

I tend to like most folks but I draw the line at people who don't have the ability to recognize the value of trees and understand what they mean to the place you live.

I realize trees may have to come down for buildings or roads but it you aren't replacing lost trees with (many) new ones, well, my respect for you, both personally and professionally, will quickly fade.

Trees are the cheapest, easiest thing to do to improve your yard, your neighborhood, your whole community. You want to know if a City is blessed with strong leadership? Learn about how seriously they take their trees and you'll have your answer.

Proud Spetrino boys with plaque and sign.

City Council presentation for local tree award winners.

When you are walking down the street isn't it easy to enjoy the stroll when your are walking under a canopy of trees? Trees make a neighborhood street more interesting, they also make the street safer, people drive slower when they are cruising along a tree-lined street. Hot out? Stand under a tree.

Ever been to Lumina Station? Forest Hills? Aren't they great spaces? I don't believe it's a coincidence that the most valuable, most desirable homes and businesses are also located in areas with the most plentiful trees.

Every place you like being has trees (and the beach doesn't count.)

It's always great to be acknowledged for your hard work but I can't put into words my appreciation for the RiverFront Project being recognized for its street trees. It's an accomplishment that makes me very proud.

I think this proverb sums up my perspective as to the importance of trees and the long-lasting effect they will have on the success of a community:

"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in."

If you truly want to make a difference in your community start with some "low hanging fruit" by learning more at the National Arbor Day Foundation. (You get 10 trees free just for joining!)

Fair Warning: This is not what my voice sounds like...

I have been experimenting with video all week and before I invest a couple hundred dollars on one of those really cool 'flip' cameras I wanted to see what I was getting myself into.

Rusty RELUCTANTLY let me borrow his camera after I promised not to remove the clear plastic protective covering that is still on it from when he bought it new.

Something is wrong with the sound though, my voice doesn't sound all 'nasally and whiny' like that. It's much smoother in real life, like the guys that do the voice-overs for movie trailers, more "velvet-like"...

But what you will see is a great, (slightly shaky) shot taken of the main approach to the Marina from Cowan Street and the beginnings of our new 'district' along the Wilmington RiverFront.

Write back and let me know if you think I should make the jump to new technology (and a lapel mic!)

After the Storm...

Looking South toward the PPD Building. Our green grass was turning brown, hopefully the much needed rain last night will give us some color.
It's hard to get a true gauge as to how large the overall site without something identifiable next to the trees (some new buildings would be nice).
The City installed a few park benches along the RiverWalk. This one sits just under a large cypress tree.

Just Add Water...

FINALLY, our trees are here!

Not having trees on the site when we first began the development process was both a blessing and a curse. With no trees, we could plant new ones where we wanted; however, getting large, full canopies could take years (and great trees mean everything to great projects, ask anyone).

Initially we wanted to transplant trees (tree spade) from local farms to the site. One minor problem though, we needed them all to look identical, grow consistently and we needed 11 of them. We have a very specific “vision” for the main street and planning the look correctly from the start sets the stage for the rest of the project to follow suit.

I think we did OK though… You are looking at photos of 8” caliper, conical shaped Live Oak trees that were purchased from a farm in Central Florida. These things are huge! They were delivered in giant 200 gallon containers and “so far, so good”. They are getting watered each day for about an hour and a half via an underground well and drip irrigation system. I’ve carried a set of pruning snips in my truck with me for several years now and I can’t wait to ‘fine tune’ them next Spring.

Additional trees will follow as the buildings come into play but this initial planting is a really big deal – it sets an incredible tone and feeling for the overall development. As you drive along the new boulevard you can’t help but slow down and enjoy their sheer size and beauty.

Project Update September 14, 2009