From Phil's Desk.... Attention website visitors, I am way behind on getting my 2019 Posts up and running. Please enjoy perusing my archives and be sure and check back in during September and October when I get things up to date. I'll also have news from the September Texas Chapter ISA Tree Conference. Thank You, Phil R. Coker CALIFORNIA FOREST FIRES NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2018. A COMMENTARY The "Rest of the Story", Winter 2018-2019 California's horrific fires were not a result of global warming, climate change or some other doom and gloom scenario fabricated by so called mainstream "legitimate" scientists who claim to know what the present and future state of the environment is and what it should or will be. There are problems with America's forests. Fire, brush, dead trees, and logs on the ground are part of a healthy forest system. Growing trees for timber is not forest management any more so than setting aside recreation areas is recreation management. Forests are dynamic systems of which people are a critical component. Our actions, and/or lack of action can and do have all levels of consequences. Some are considered good, some bad, and more often than not, many are controversial. The key terms are system and management. The romantic but inadequate concept referred to as "the Balance of Nature" is one of the greatest threats to our forests. The other two are radical members of the environmental community who want to protect the environment from man, and conservatives who never bother to discover the incredible diversity that is present in America's forests. Both sides look at the forest as a postcard and seem to be oblivious to the multitude of interactions and changes that occur in a forest system on a cyclical basis. Texas is blessed with a multitude of forest types. I have viewed the conifer forests and woodlands of western Texas from the top of Emory and Guadalupe peaks, quietly walked the relic rocky mountain juniper woodlands nestled within the deep folds of the Panhandle's Caprock Canyons, and marveled at the floral display of native wild azaleas in the East Texas "Piney Woods". Next year I will share my trailside experiences of these areas and other Texas treasures, and comment on man's role in shaping the landscape that we see today. Please join me in January 2019 for hikes amid the rolling hills of east Texas, and discover the hundreds of different types of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and other plants and animals that call that region home. I'll also explore the folklore of that part of Texas. In the meantime have a Wonderful New Year. Phil Coker Owner, Madrono Tree Services ...Archived Articles
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