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MONDAY February 23, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels November 25, 2003 Big tree, big win By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings A majestic pecan tree, known for its shade inducing branches, and home to a variety of creatures including a barn owl, was recently named Ashland Tree of the Year. Bob and Claudia Law hug their tree, which was chosen to Tree of Year for the City of Ashland. Satsuki Doi | Ashland Daily Tidings The tree, located on the property line between 762 and 774 B St., was chosen in a vote by local citizens and was announced by the Ashland Tree Commission at last Tuesday's city council meeting. This is the 16th year a tree has been chosen. Claudia and Bob Law, whose property the tree sits on, were pleased their pecan, one of only a few in the city, received the honor. "We were delighted," Claudia Law said. "We think it's a special tree and deserves the recognition. It's a habitat for a lot of animals and birds." In the summer, a barn owl has made its home in the thick leaves. Crows have also nested in the foliage, while a number of birds have used the tree on their winter migration, including several varieties of finches. A group of squirrels that lives in a nearby tree can be seen scurrying through the pecan tree collecting nuts, Claudia Law said. The wide branches of the tree extend to the street. Many folks have taken advantage of the shade during the summer months, Law said. "We have people who will park their cars and have their lunch here because of the shade it provides," she said. "It's a great, special tree." The tree also produces many pecans, but none are fit for human consumption. It's quite unusual for a pecan tree to grow in Oregon - it's a type of tree that grows in more warmer conditions in areas like the deep south, Law said. "It must have been planted at the right time to survive the first winter," she said. This was the first year the commission held a vote for tree of the year in the fall. This was done to balance the playing field, said tree commission member Bryan Holley. The majority of past winners have been conifers like pines and firs. The problem with leaf bearing trees was many were without leaves when the awards were given in April, he said. "It might have been a bare tree in April," Holley said. " And you don't know how special it is until you see it blossom in June." About 60 trees were nominated this year, with the commission narrowing the trees down to five finalists that were voted on by the public A plaque will be put up next April to honor the pecan tree. The Tree of the Year event is done in cooperation with the National Arbor Day Foundation. The event is a valuable resource to make people appreciate trees in the town, Holley said, "It helps people be aware that trees are a valuable resource," he said. The commission is now accepting votes for the tree of the year for next year, Holley said. The open-ended voting is done so if people see a tree they like, they can vote for it when it's still fresh in their memories, he said. To put in an entry for tree of the year for next fall, call Robbin Pearce at the city at 552-2062, or e-mail her at [email protected]. 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 Site Search: A new improved archive search is coming! Look for it in mid-February! .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - ODOT Road Cams