"Do you want to go see the Arboretum"? Dave asked, " its Mother's day and I think you would like it". So, off we went on a 15 minute, westward drive. Following Warren Air Force Base's chain link fence on Roundtop road, we arrived at the USDA's Grasslands research station and the High Plains Arboretum. Said to be, "One of the most important agricultural historic sites west of the Mississippi...", it truly is, "one of Cheyenne's best kept secrets". When we moved here from the east coast, I remember being shocked and a bit frightened by the lack of trees in the landscape. I love trees! They're my friends that protect, shelter and inspire me so the wide open, rolling plains were something I had to get used to. There's a plaque at our Botanical Garden with a quote from an early pioneer named Nannie Steele. In 1876 she remarked that, “there are only twelve trees in this town.” The marker goes on to say that a John Talbot ordered 20,000 young trees and willow cuttings from Nebraska, which were hand planted and watered by city residents. Trees take tending here but they are highly valued for shade, wind breaks and beauty. Cheyenne hasnow been named a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the past 34 years. The city's Urban Forestry Division recently had a tree inventory done and you can go online and see where the trees are and what kind of species are in the city. The online map says there are 3 Cortland Apple trees in the city. Cortlands are a variety I enjoyed growing up in Western New York ( also my Grandma Palmer's preferred applesauce making variety). Yes, I love my trees! Thank you to the city's past visionaries who planted and cared for its fledgling trees. and thank you to the city's current caretakers who keep our trees healthy!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
LEAP 366
Archives
October 2017
Categories |