Trees

Baltimore City is fortunate to have Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke representing parts of North and Northeast Baltimore. She possesses the vision, sensitivity, insight and follow-through to recognize the need for clarifying the law requiring citizens to be notified when city trees are to be cut down. Also, kudos to David C. Troy for filing legal documents requesting a temporary restraining order against cutting trees in preparation for the grand prix race in Baltimore. His actions prevented more trees from being removed.

I look forward to a time when Columbia's Symphony Woods is home to both active and passive recreation: picnics, walks, splashing, laughter, relaxation, and maybe even a little music. I commend CA for going forward with a plan to enhance the livability of our downtown area. Saturday I attended the opening of Blandair Park. This event was particularly significant to me, as an immediate neighbor in Oakland Mills. As I watched my daughter run off to explore the play equipment, I felt grateful to everyone who made this possible.

We have a treasure that some may not appreciate. There are very few remaining stands of old trees, not only in Columbia but in the whole state of Maryland. We once took a special trip to northern Michigan to visit a virgin forest. We are so fortunate to have such a stand of trees in the middle of Columbia and should be thankful to those that had the foresight to preserve it for us and future generations. It should be left in its natural state. Business ventures should be up to those risking their capital and have knowledge of what potential may be derived from that investment.

Forests by the Chesapeake Bay are growing two to four times faster than expected these days, researchers have found - a signal that rising carbon dioxide in our atmosphere might be triggering noticeable changes in ecosystems in the Mid-Atlantic. And though scientists warn it's no panacea, the accelerated growth in stands of hardwoods monitored for the past 22 years is an indication that forests might dampen or delay the impact of climate change at least for a while, by soaking up some of the greenhouse gases that most scientists believe are warming the planet.

Station North, 16 W. North Ave., and Load of Fun, 120 North Ave. - host the Black Friday Art & Craft Market, Nov. 25, 3-8 p.m., featuring original art and crafts by members of Charm City Craft Mafia, Baltimore Etsy Street Team and Station North artists, plus music by Her Fantastic Cats, Femi the DriFish and the Out of Water eXperience, Wendel Patrick, and disc jockey Dubble 8. Ben Stone. E-mail ben.stone@stationnorth.org , call 410-962-7075 or go to http://www.stationnorth.org/finalfridays.

Colored leaves falland then revealthe shapes of winter's trees,in images surreal.Stick-figures all, stretchedagainst lowering skies,frame a leafless parklandthrough winter's eyes.By the cold streambeds,sycamores peel and grate;at the edge of the wood,bare beeches congregate.There's no leafy camouflagefor winter's birds of prey;now the hawks and elmswait for a longer day.

Over the past few decades, 40 percent of Maryland's forestland has vanished. If the current rate of tree-cutting continues, the state will lose roughly one-eighth of its forests by the year 2020. The result would seriously damage the environment. Trees help control erosion and serve as a kind of sponge to soak up pollutants before they reach the water table. Trees also act as a buffer to protect water quality in lakes and bays -- and that's especially important for Chesapeake Bay cleanup.

Celebrating the majesty of trees, county and town officials sang theleafy plants' praises at Wednesday's Arbor Day celebration."How can you hate (trees)," asked Neil Ridgely, county landscape plan reviewer. "They're like a good dog. They don't bite and they keep on giving until the end."During the second annual county celebration, trees were presentedto the representatives of each county municipality.In contrast to the taller American Elms distributed last year, the county gave smaller, flowering Japanese Snowbell trees during the celebration.

The owner of a Edgewater-based tree service was convicted Tuesday on three counts of critical area violations for removing dozens of trees in Severna Park, allegedly so the property owners could have a better view of the Severn River, according to Maryland's Attorney General. Dennis Russell Paddy Sr., 44, of Edgewater, owner of Paddy Stump Grinding, cut down dozens of trees in an expanded buffer area along Bellehahn Court, according to the attorney general. Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Michele D. Jaklitsch sentenced Paddy to perform 80 hours of community service along with 12 months probation, after granting probation before judgment.

I am writing In response to the July 5 letter on Columbia's open space. In order to manage storm water runoff, save us money, and be "green," CA has increased stream buffer areas and done some community reforestation centered around Earth Day and supported by grass roots groups and local residents. There is no big plan to eliminate open, unforested areas, and an area doesn't need to be a grass field in order to be considered "usable. " Many residents prefer to use open space with trees and shade.