EDITOR’S NOTE:

The following is a guest editorial written by Jim Foret of New Iberia, a horticulturist and arborist as well as former director of New Iberia Parks and Recreation.

With heavy heart I join Alma “Bebe” Ebel’s lament objecting to the loss of yet another sacred grove of trees in our community. Yes, sacred, the churchyard of the sanctuary of the Presbyterian church qualifies as holy ground. In my book, all trees are sacred. There is a bit of history here, too, a personal connection — someone’s grandparent or parent planted or had planted or watered or pruned those trees to good health. That connection is now severed, lost, gone forever. It was a sacred grove, our sacred grove and it has been taken away from us by Big Box outsiders who came to take, not give, outsiders who seek profit no matter the cost to you and me.

Uncontrolled development is ripping at the very fabric of our community. We, my friends, are losing these ancient citizens to “progress” because we lack a mechanism that forces all parties to at least have a conversation about what is important and what is not as we allow progress to move forward. Then once everyone is on the same page, we may move forward with care and respect. This is how I want my community to allow progress, don’t you?

The loud outcry to Save “Mr. Al” from the hydraulic muscle and brute diesel power of the state Department of Transportation right-of-way clearing monster machines opened our eyes to the force of our voice. Now our community seems empowered to speak up for what is right after seeing what can happen if proper planning is ignored. We all understand that planning well is far more effective than the superhuman effort required to move Mr. Al.

The fact is that old trees are multi-generational compared to human lives and can span multiple landowners. I have found that the best thing we can do for our trees for future generations is to back off and stand in awe and respect of their grandeur. In other words, leave them the hell alone.

As a second generation, classically trained horticulturist, I have a pretty good understanding of how a tree stands and how it fails and how we humans with our huge egos can learn to live alongside of them in our walk through of life. I for one prefer my walk to be outside and in the shade. I stand ready to help craft a reasonable tree ordinance to protect our urban canopy, specifically those on public or commercial lands. What to we have to lose? Let’s get moving. Time is short.

Happy spring equinox, y’all!