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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels October 2, 2004 Few trees nominated for award By Buffy Pollock Tidings Correspondent If the list of trees nominated for consideration as the annual Tree of the Year process were a type of tree, it would be a type of tree void of branches - and roots and leaves. In stark comparison to last year's 60-plus nominees, city officials reported just over a half-dozen arbors had been submitted for the 17th annual award by week's end. "We had 50 to 75 last year and we'd really like to get that many this year," city planner Maria Harris said. "We could really use some help." The Tree of the Year event is done in cooperation with the National Arbor Day Foundation. Held since 1989, the event is geared at increasing appreciation for city's vast tree canopy and the benefits trees provide residents, from shade and erosion control to aesthetics. Tree Commissioner Ted Loftus said the reduction in participation this year could be due to residents focusing on election happenings and partially due to changes made to the process last year. Beginning in 2003, the process was moved to take place in the fall, rather than spring, when evergreens were dominant, and rules were changed to allow trees to be nominated year round rather than during a short period of time each year. While trees in years past have been grand "council trees" of sorts, Loftus said it might be nice to see more typical average-Joe-type trees. "Some of big old heritage trees around Ashland have already been picked as Tree of the Year. We're always looking at a grand old council tree, or grandfather tree or grandmother tree," he said. "Every city has a famous council tree. I know in Africa they have council trees where they go when a major decision or election has to be made. ... I've always thought maybe we ought to select a scruffy little tree that's hung on for so many years and managed to produce just a few almonds or something." Tree Commissioner Bryan Holley said he hoped to round up additional nominations over the next week. "The goal is to continue the process to help us remember how special Ashland is because of its incredible tree canopy. All the benefits we get from them, like energy, erosion control, privacy, shade." Holley said the process had become such a community event that nominations had been received in years past from children casting their vote for trees such as "that one on the way to school" and "the big one in our backyard." Recent year's winners include last year's favorite, a pecan tree - home to a barn owl and other critters on B Street - deodar cedars at Safeway and a ginkgo at the city library. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams