NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
TREE EMERGENCY | Save Water + Trees
Claremont's trees not only make us stand out from other cities, they reduce our energy costs and increase property values along with providing many health and environmental benefits: trees cool us; trees convert carbon dioxide into precious oxygen that we breathe; trees filter urban dust. According to the Forest Service, each mature tree adds about $4,000 in value to the community annually.
Here are some examples of what is happening right in our own back yard.
BEFORE/AFTER
Heritage Elm Tree on Indian Hill Blvd. Property owners are required to water the City Street Trees in front of their homes
This is what happened when a home owner went to a drought tolerant landscape - turned off their irrigation system and the tree died.
BEFORE/AFTER
Trees, especially mature trees, take very little water - a good soaking once or twice a month is usually adequate.
This home-owner removed healthy mature trees thinking that they would save on water. Actually, the tree removal will now
increase the energy consumption needed to cool the house- shade from trees can lower the heat index between 40 - 70 degrees F.
BEFORE/AFTER
Pruning gone bad! This healthy Jacaranda was butchered by an unqualified tree trimmer - evidently to protect the electrical wires. Mature trees rarely need trimming and only then the dead branches and in the fall (this tree was trimmed earlier this month) - even when clearing space for wires the absolute minimum should be removed. This tree will be lucky to survive the summer!
Water reduction during the current drought is beginning to irreparably harm Claremont's trees. It doesn't have to-we can save water AND save mature trees just by watering them deeply a couple of times a month (from trunk to canopy edge, down to 2ft).
The smart thing to do is think about the long term; save trees from dying or removal by prioritizing your water use.
Most garden plants and grass can be replaced in a short time; a 40-year-old tree takes 40 years to grow. We want them to be here when the drought ends, so trees are where we should concentrate our landscape water.
For information on what you can do to save Water and Trees please visit the
Inland Urban Forest Council:
HEREFor information on the proper trimming of trees please visit the
City of Claremont website:
CULTURAL HERITAGE
CLAREMONT HERITAGE | Launches Vimeo Site
| Claremont, CA. Architecture + Culture |
Claremont Heritage is please to announce our new Vimeo site - enjoy short films that we produce for our archives that feature oral histories and stunning visuals of our beautiful city. Enjoy!
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
CLAREMONT HERITAGE prepares new National Register Nominations!
Claremont Heritage is pleased to announce that we are in the process of preparing National Register of Historic Places Nominations for a number of significant sites in Claremont. These include the Post Office, Claremont United Church of Christ, Claremont United Methodist Church and Garrison Theater.
If accepted, these sites will join the Pitzer-Peairs House, the Depot, Padua Hills Theatre, Scripps College, Russian Village and the most recent nomination, the Intercultural Council Housing in Arbol Verde which was declared an Historic District earlier this year.
HISTORIC PROPERTY FOR SALE | Criley / McDowell Masterpiece in Webb Canyon
Open House this weekend! Check it out Mid-century Modern fans.
