MESSAGE FROM URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION

Today I got my digital version of the South Ogden Newsletter. Why I got this so late, I will never know? I am sure they could have sent the digital version when they printed the first one, but I am sure they forgot.

The opening message is a message from the Urban Forestry Commission about trees. The opening paragraph reads, "Why should South Ogden residents be concerned about whether there are trees on your street, or on the streets nearby?"

WHAT! Is this article really about how we need to have trees on our streets! Do they not remember that they came through and tore up all the trees on Raymond Ave? Granted they did replace them with new, smaller ones. But don't they remember how they didn't even want us to have new trees?

Here are the reasons we are supposed to keep our trees:

1. Cars drive slower on streets with trees. Trees have a calming effect and drivers become more aware that there are often pedestrians and children playing on tree lined streets. Without street trees it feels more like a transportation corridor, not a place where people live.
2. Street trees cut down traffic noise. Street trees reduce the amount of engine noise created in the first place, because drivers go more slowly. But a line of large leafy trees can also absorb a great deal of noise. Even a line of smaller trees can be enough of a buffer to block traffic noise from reaching private yards and homes.
3. Residents walk more on streets with trees. When cars drive more slowly, pedestrians feel safer. Trees also provide an environment in which it is more pleasant to walk.
4. Trees improve air quality. Trees consume carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. In general, the more trees we plant, the better air we breathe.
5. Street trees increase property value. Streets with trees look more stable and prosperous. Families with children are more attracted to a neighborhood where they can picture themselves going for walks and letting kids play on the sidewalk. Improvements in curb appeal due to street trees can increase real estate values by 5-20%.

This last one makes me the most upset! The Raymond Avenue citizens called our council woman - Vicki Mattson and specifically told her were were concerned about our resell value of our homes and what would happen if the trees were removed. On the phone she told us we should never buy a home because of trees. At the next City Council meeting on May 8th 2007. She explained she had talked to people in the housing industry and that our values would not drop. She gave housing value comparisons (that contradicted our own research) of homes that sold on Nordin and Evelyn before and after their trees were removed. Did she lie to us? According to their own Urban and Forestry Commission values will increase(or drop) 5-20% and that we should buy homes that have trees because they are safer, cleaner, and increase our value.

The second best part of this article is the end, backed up by City Manager Scott Darrington's blog about Arbor Day, it says: "South Ogden City has received the Tree City USA award for the past several years, but in order to continue this recognition we need the residents support in planting trees."

Well I do have to give the council and commission credit, they did replant our trees two fold after some our citizen's caused an uproar. But Vicki's contradicting remarks against their own commission and our citizens own research is disturbing. I am wondering now if she even researched or just went online and pulled housing values, then told us what we needed to hear to shut us up. Maybe she truly did get accurate information and the Urban Forestry Commission got it wrong. You be the judge.

All in all, I kept my tree.