By Jean Cox, Trussville Tree Commission
A few months ago, at one of our Tree Commission meetings, we discussed a couple of big pine trees that were recently lost here in Trussville. We discussed that the only pines we have left are very old ones and that it would be difficult to find homeowners who want to plant pines in their yards. But, how great would it be if some of the homes on Pine Street would have pines planted as their street trees?
I left that meeting feeling a bit like a hypocrite. As much as I would love to see more pine trees in our urban forest canopy, I don’t have any planted in my yard. I refused to plant even our most precious pine tree in the ground.
We have a very loved 5-year-old pine tree growing in a small pot on our front porch. When my oldest kid was a sweet, round, face three-year-old, he found a seedling struggling to survive, growing through the mulch on the playground of his preschool. He fussed at the other kids for stepping on the tree. Then, he carefully dug it up and asked his teachers to help him save it. My sweet boy brought that two-inch-tall pine tree home in a red Solo cup and told me we had to help it. He wanted to plant it in the front yard where it could grow big and tall. I, of course, did not want a giant pine tree in the front yard casting shade on the only sunny area of our property. So, I convinced him it would be great in a small pot where it would be a happy bonsai tree. He eventually agreed. With plenty of loving care and some gardening magic, that tree managed to survive, and it has become a permanent fixture that welcomes visitors to our front porch. Yes, we have a front porch pine tree – but still, none in our yard. I guess, like many people, I do not show enough love for pine trees.
We really should appreciate pines more than we do. When we think of promoting native trees, why do we only think of native hardwoods? If we want to plant what belongs here, we must consider that pine forests once covered the majority of Alabama.
The Southern Long Leaf Pine is our state tree for good reasons. They played a huge role in our state’s history, are necessary for the survival of many insect and bird species, and they are just simply lovely.
The silhouette of a mature pine against a blazing orange sunset sky can be one of the prettiest sights in the world. Watching a pine forest swaying in the wind is much like watching waves rolling in at the beach.
While some of us don’t appreciate these trees as we should, many artists seem to recognize the real value of pines. I doubt any other variety of tree has helped to fuel so many great song lyrics. Johnny and June sang about “The Pine Tree” back in their day. And now we have a new wave of singers and songwriters drawing from the same inspiration. Jason Isbell wants somebody to take him home through those “Alabama Pines,” and Watchhouse is singing about pine seeds in “Wildfire.” If we don’t plant more of them, what conifer is going to be around to inspire the songwriters of our grandchildren’s generation?
It would be great if our future tree plantings around town could sometimes include our state tree. I hope people over on Pine Street will consider welcoming Southern Long Leaf Pines into their yards. Maybe I’ll figure out a place to plant a pine tree out back in our yard. I won’t be planting our front porch pine tree out there, though. I’ve decided I will always keep that one in a pot. I want to keep it cute and little, like the sweet boy that brought it home from preschool. Maybe one day he can write a song about it.
“The willow tree is fickle, and it weeps in the morning dew. My love is a pine tree, cause that’s the only tree that’s true” – B. E. Wheeler.