Re: Tree of Heaven
Dean Sliger wrote:
Hi DEan,
Perhaps I should have indicated N.E.China assumed it would be
understood..What I had in mind was the N.E. as in :Manchuria..In defense of
my statement,
Here exerpt: :
'From north to south, China spans a range of latitude roughly equal to that
between Mexico City
and Lake Winnipeg in central Canada. China is truly a land of climatic
extremes. About 28% of the country, including Manchuria in northeastern China
and the high
elevations of the Tibetan Plateau and Tsinghai Province, are subarctic.
'Temperature Northeast China (Manchuria)
experiences bitterly cold winters with temperatures dropping to as low as
-37°C (-35°F).
> .
> Eastern China, for the most part, has a relatively mild, temperat climate.
>
But, Connie, you're looking at it from the perspective of "Now I have a
shade tree where I wouldn't otherwise have had one." Are you considering
the impact on the native flora and fauna? If the tree only grows in
areas which have already been devastated by humans (such as the standard
subdivision or condominium development), then that's one thing -- but do
the trees ever venture beyond the pavement? Displacement happens in a
variety of ways, often in ways that the average person wouldn't notice.
The native plants of your area did not evolve amidst large shade trees.
Had to smile at the above ,while I know easterners are well intended I assume
its difficult for them to imagine the general lay of the land in the Great
Basin area of the N.W.so once again in defense of myself I say:
Yes,I am looking at it 'as now I have a shade tree'(not me really as the tree
I refer to is in a junk yard in the middle of town)and
not only does it beautify an ugly area but it is the sole tree..Have not
seen this tree grow anywhere other than in areas of current human
habitat..As to 'native plants'of this area, prior to the tree ,it would have
been primarily
Sage Brush (Artemesia tridentata among others) which settlers over the last
100+yrs have done their level best to eliminate for agricultural
reasons..So.....Cheat Grass might have been displaced but it is not native
either..then there is the Russian Olive which is well adapted but also not
native etc.etc..
Bottom line as much as it may offend the purists if it wern't for some of
these plants which tolerate the immediate
climate(once again let me repeat this is a lone tree,not a grove, that hasnt
changed in the 10yrs I have observed it)
*but do not thrive* in it we would have little to beautify our little part of
the world..If that sounds selfish or indifferent it is not intended so,rather
all humanity craves beauty,comfort(shade)etc.Organizations even promote such
i.e. 'plant a tree'etc.
One could argue that we dont belong here (in the desert)but here we are and
so long as humans inhabit such areas they will seek that which is
desireable/compatible to that environment.
Lest you think we're all desert; actually Idaho is highly diverse with
forests etc.
As to fauna we have more wilderness in this state % wise than anywhere else
in the lower 48,so we are doing our part to keep nature as she was and not
starve to death in the effort.We are a state of over 83,000sq.miles,
approx.70%of this is either Federal or State owned lands...In a sense you are
preaching to the choir.Grizzly bears,Wolves,etc.they're either here or back
by enironmentalists demand..
Personally I would like to see N.Y.city's Central Park returned to the pre
colony status and see the outcry,sorry but the East seems to feel the West
is their personal play ground .
Little regard to the human element has been shown,just come, see,play and
then return to their respective state (where all the land is primarily
privately owned)Where they lobby to 'preserve and protect'these areas to
remain primarily their playground... As you might surmise this is a sore spot
with Westerners..We are more in tune with nature than many other parts of our
country because we are,country, this is a highly rural state,which is just
the way we like it.
As for plant evolution ,at one time this area was a tropical climate with
giant ferns ,etc.Now its desert (humans did not cause it to be so) and it
will evolve again despite all that humans can do..Nature in the end will have
her way, possibly eliminating humans as well, along every other species which
could not adapt to her ever changing patterns.
Just my side of the story.
Connie
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