Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Douglas Fir and "Adopt a Tree"

I took a hike in Jackson Demonstration Forest to relocate the large Douglas Fir I found a few weeks ago. After a quick measurement, it had a cbh of 19 feet, 1 in. Pretty large, but not a personal record breaker. A fantastic tree anyhow.

While hiking through the forest, I had to stop and admire several of the old growth trees that have been spared. There is a sense of joy, a sense of satisfaction when looking at an old growth tree. They look complete or something. I can only compare it to looking at a fine piece of art. I had to wonder if it would be possible to find a market for old growth trees, that wouldn't require cutting them down. Being poor and powerless, there is not much someone like me can do to save and protect these old trees. I can take pictures, and rant into the emptiness of the blogisphere, perhaps I can join a tree sit, or donate a few bucks here and there. However, I had to wonder if individual old growth trees could be sold to wealthy collectors, like fine pieces of art. Perhaps an "Adopt a Tree" program could be started, where orphan trees could be purchased and cared for by those who could afford to do so. I don't know the legality behind an idea like this. Is it possible that several hundred crucial old growth trees, or second generation redwoods with potential could be purchased from the logging companies if private citizens wanted to collect them? The "Adopt a Tree" organization could take in depth pictures of the tree for the buyers, perhaps do a scientific overview of each specimen, keep track of their statistics, organize camping trips for the donors to spend time with their tree. Maybe even climb into them. The logging companies would also win because they would  get their money, the environmentalists would win because the old trees would remain, the trees would win because their lives would be spared. Humanity would win because perhaps we could learn to appreciate each tree as a unique individual as well as protect habitat. Now to find a few wealthy donors...

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