ANNUAL PLANTING
Kutschera, L.; Lichtenegger, E. (Erwin) (Wurzeldarstellungen
Wageningen University, Netherlands
“Single trees are extraordinary; trees in number more extraordinary still.”—Robert MacFarlane
General William J. Palmer, our city’s founder, established the signature landscape of Colorado Springs in 1871: its tree-lined medians on Wahsatch, Nevada, Cascade and Wood Avenues that serve as the northern gateways into our historic downtown. This arboreal landscape was in danger of vanishing when over 100 dead or declining trees were slated to be removed in 2016.
Our city’s staff foresters explained that the division’s tree replacement budget had little money for replanting, and so over coffee and apple pie, we forged a partnership in which the North End Woodlands raised money to purchase new trees, and our foresters helped to install and care for them.
Hundreds of trees have since been planted on the four historic medians, including these species: American Linden, Northern Oak, Catalpa, Hackberry, Rowan Oak, White Oak, and a variety of conifers. We have partially restored the tree canopy on the medians, thanks to donations of money and labor from individuals, youth organizations, businesses, hospitals, and churches. We have also received munificent grants from philanthropic organizations.