Beauty Branches Out Thanks to Ojai Staff

Several years ago I was involved in a collaborative research project with the city of Ojai. We studied the use of recycled eucalyptus chips and how they benefit newly planted trees.

The study is long over. The trees benefited and so did Ojai. In 1994 20 trees were transplanted along Ojai Avenue adjacent to Soule Park golf course. They now form a beautiful vista and can be seen by all as we leave the city limits to the east of town.

I write this letter to commend city staff on its most recent planting efforts in Libbey Park. The remaining trees in my old test plot (on Montgomery Avenue) are now over 40 feet tall. With extreme care, planning and skill, John Davis, Paul Rogers and Chris Hilgers and his son, Chet, moved eight of these specimen trees into Libbey Park. Two trees were planted in the Libbey Bowl area where a venerable oak tree was recently removed. The other six were planted in the front of Libbey Park, adding considerable grace and style to the newly refurbished, former Bank of America building. These newcomers will offer shade, reduced temperatures in the adjacent parking lot, cooler microclimates in the summer, habitat for birds and consistency with other landscaping.

The effort is exceptional because the Ojai has benefited with over $20,000 in plant materials, and planting costs with almost no monetary input. Through donations of time and expertise these trees were saved from an overcrowded site where they would have contributed less to our overall community quality of life.

The Ojai staff deserves attention and recognition, not only for this good deed but for the hundreds of trees that have been planted in Ojai in recent years. I hope that the next time you drive past the Arcade you slow down to see these magnificent sycamore (Platanus racemosa) trees and appreciate that someone in government is doing great things for our community.

JIM DOWNER, Ojai. Jim Downer is horticulture advisor with the University of California, cooperative extension program.