This is an open letter to acknowledge, with many thanks, those 100 citizens who signed a petition circulated in Dolores, who were collectively against removal of six well-established elm trees living at the bottom of the escarpment at the end of North Ninth Street.

The petition was presented to the Dolores Town Board at Monday’s meeting, with suggestions and reasons to keep trees, these in particular. The desire to remove the elms was canceled when it was explained to the owner how they are protecting his house. Now there will be just a plan to remove the dead branches and trim the tops to help with maintaining their health, beauty and function. It’s a win-win all the way around.

Elm trees, as well as some other tree species, have been categorized as “Trash Trees” and/or non-ornamental. That is a perception which comes with a label handed out, usually by those who either can’t make money off them, don’t like anything that creates a mess, takes too much effort to maintain, or have not learned to look enough at the overall picture to discover the value they provide to where they are living.

Trees, whatever their species, provide a service, whether we are capable of recognizing it or not. These trees living along the escarpment in Dolores, be they elm or some other species, are the first line of defense against rockfall. And if you live next to, or near, that escarpment, you surely must be grateful.

Sheila Wheeler

Dolores