Tree Board

After 4 years of participation, I resigned from the Tree Board. I have worked really hard, and I think I was helpful. Besides nagging continually that we should be planting native trees (please, no more crepe Myrtles that are so ubiquitous in Central Florida that the county agent thought they were native; I disabused her of that misinformation.), I worked really hard this year passing out the centennial tree plaques and creating a map of their locations. By last Thursday, I’d managed to get 64 of the 100 trees mapped, 60 of those photographed with the homeowners. There are about 6 remaining on private property, the other 30 are Town of Windermere trees, in parks or on right of ways. 

I also created an album of the photos. Now Tree Board and Public Works can use them for inspiration and institutional memory.

(The trees were to be visible from the street. Since we planted our long leaf pine on the north fence line, I put our plaque on a tree that was a volunteer right next to the swale. With the Centennial tree, volunteers in the area, and transplants from other parts of our yard, I am starting a mini pine forest in the northwest corner of our lot. I hope it will last past our living here.)

This spring, I created a scope and sequence for the renovation of the landscaping at the Historic Schoolhouse, the 2025-26 project I suggested and perhaps browbeat the board to approve. I attempted to coordinate with the Historic Preservation Board twice, without success, because their meetings were canceled because they didn’t have a chair. Now a Tree Board member and long, long time resident had taken on that roll. She remembers the good old days when Windermere was a sleepy little town; children weeding the historic orange grove. I see it as a rich community of new arrivals. Bigger tax base vs. bake sales to pay for town projects. Hiring vs. volunteers. I don't need the stress trying to drag our community into the 21st century. There are other people who can do that, or not. But if Windermere Garden Club is offered the chance to maintain the gardens, I will vigorously vote no.