by Sr. Regina Siegfried, ASC
Several years ago, the city of St. Louis’ forestry division cut down the city’s ash trees because of the invasive emerald ash borer’s infestation. On a chilly March afternoon, our block witnessed the ash tree massacre, pocking the block’s gracious tree canopy with holes instead of branches. Except for one tree!
Our neighbors asked the people sawing down the trees to preserve the ash tree in front of their house, right across the street from where I live. They agreed to pay so that the tree could be treated once a year to keep away the ash borer. In September of this year, they hired our arborist friend and former neighbor to trim the tree and shape its branches. The tree is a blaze of gold that delights our block’s residents.
Laudato Si is more than an encyclical when people protect our trees, plant native pollinator plants, and get their hands dirty in the good Earth. Dave, the arborist, told us that, with proper, consistent care, the ash tree could outlive us.
What is ours to do?
