An ode to Old Town trees
A popular Chinese proverb says that “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”. In old town, we are fortunate that many of the trees we passively and actively enjoy were planted 80-100 years ago. I say passively enjoy in that I don’t think that many residents truly appreciate what these trees provide to make old town special.
Every morning, I wake up at 5:30, make my coffee, write, and spend some time with my youngest daughter before trodding out the door with my german shepherd Edel. We have quite a few paths that we take, but by far her favorite is a quick and eager pull to the left towards city park. Because we are out so early, there rarely is much traffic, but the birds are already busy about their days. I hear the shrill calls of jays high up in the trees, the unmistakable “chicka-dee-dee” of the chickadee, and frequently see turkey vultures sunning themselves high up in a spruce tree, catching the early morning sun from the east.
Sun shining from the east looking down Laporte Ave on and early morning walk
As we continue along the way, making a westward turn down Mountain Ave, I’m always amazed by the peacefulness of the tree lined path leading up towards the cemetery. We’ve already passed numerous Linden trees, fragrant (and sometimes messy) in the spring, white oaks with their lobed leaves and quintessential acorns , red oaks with deep cutting u-shaped and pointed leaves, catalpa trees with large salad plate sized leaves and long bean-like legumes. Mountain ave provides just a little bit of extra pleasure, with a tree lined parkway stretching for miles all the way from downtown up to the Grandview Cemetery it farthest reach to the West.
Mountain Ave in all of its tree-lined glory
It's during these moments walking the dog, enjoying the peacefulness of the morning sun and sounds that I begin to think to myself “What would these neighborhoods look like with no trees, or young trees? Would they feel similar to so many new build communities in SE Fort Collins with fast growing saplings barely mature enough to provide a sliver of shade on a hot summers day? Would I find as much satisfaction as I make my journey to the mecca of trees in old town [City Park]? ” Certainly part of the ambiance of old town is held in these trees, some of which have proudly stood in the same spot for 80-100 years now.
This red oak on the right is one of my favorite trees in town
I get to thinking about some of the historical events these trees have seen; multiple world wars, sugar beet farmers, horse pulled wagons, multiple iterations of trolleys in town, the founding of CSU, the fall of the Berlin wall. Those are amazing things to think about, but what brings most joy to me about these trees is the comfort they provide, like a warm blanket on a cold winters night. Because they have been here for so long, and have grown to their maximum in some cases, they arch over the streets, combining into a long, welcoming tunnel, with dappled light occasionally making its way through the leaves. In those moments, on a quiet morning, with cool fresh air, that I feel most content in old town, and those trees are the most important part of that feeling.
