One for the Books!

October 10 2016 was a day most people will remember for quite some time.

The Bahamas and especially Nassau was hit and hit hard by Hurricane Matthew. The southeastern portion of the Island was hardest hit, my area, my neighborhood.

As I sit here writing this piece, looking out of the windows, where there were once luscious green Mango trees, now in it's place is nothing but a graveyard filled with fallen, chopped up trees.

Before Matthew there was and indescribable splash of GREEN........Everywhere! When Mango season was in, man, one knew mango season was in, MANGOS EVERY WHERE, every neighbor had so many wonderful mango trees, alas this year where shall we turn to for mangos?

We did not only lose our mango trees, but trees of every description....sigh.

It will take some time to rebuild, replant, renew. The time to start if one has not done so already is NOW!

Time to prepare is now. Past years everyone waited for hurricane season, well hurricane season begins June 1 and ends on November 30. However, hurricanes can form at any time during the year.

Anytime..........

But, we must not wait, the time to care for the environment is already here. By no means can we prevent severe damage but the risks can be greatly reduced.

Like the saying goes "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Waiting for hurricane season to trim trees comes with it's own risks. More often than not Tree Care & Landscaping companies take care of their regular clients first along with their own concerns, that leaves the procrastinator out in the proverbial cold!

Trees that are selectively pruned have a much better chance of braving storms. Selective target pruning reduces wind resistance. When a tree is full or  flush it is a prime target for strong winds, winds which propels the tree downward. Trees are such a great investment, not only in our landscapes but for the entire Nation.

We have lost so many wonderful historical trees due to neglect. Some amongst us hardly give trees a second thought,question, do  we go to the beach and look for the hottest place to park our cars or sit under to have our picnics?? A resounding  NO!!! We look for the trees!

Trees cool our homes.
Trees add value to our landscapes.
Where Trees are people gather.



"In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension."  
Dr.Roger S. Ulrich from Texas A&M University

Francis E. Kuo Director and Founder of the Human-Environment Research Laboratory (H.E.R.L) along with William Sullivan studied the relationship between people and the physical and came up with interesting findings. See link (www.lhhl.illinois.edu)

The list really can go on. Trees sooth, they whisper to us, they are beautiful, what more can I say.

So, it may be awhile before we have mangos again, but if we don't replant, we will never have mangos, our own and God knows there is nothing like your own.

We can do it family, the journey of a thousand miles begin with the first step.

Before I close this piece out I would like to take the time to salute my wonderful neighbor Mrs. Delores Treco Wells who had the absolutely sweetest mangos, her beautiful mangos have left us, and she too has passed. Rest in peace beloved.

We all but have a short time here, let us make the most of it. If not for us then let us leave a legacy for our childrens childrens!

Peace out,

The Tree Lady.