Welcome to The Garden
Oak Society member Don Allen is living the Foundation’s mission right in his yard
SEP TEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
A
Restoring Santa Rosa’s Tree Line
ll are welcome. That’s Don Allen’s approach to the half-acre plot of land next to his house. Ever since he and his wife, Pam, moved into their Charlotte, North Carolina, home in 1983, they have been working to turn the space into a lush, tree-filled escape for the community. So far, they’ve created a parklike space with more than 50 trees surrounding a winding creek, and they’re not finished yet.
200 Trees, 25 Tree Planters, and 1 Beloved Dog
Don has been a member of the Arbor Day Foundation for 24 years, but his love of trees began at an early age. He grew up climbing the trees at his childhood home in Bowling Green, Ohio. Then his 7th grade biology teacher — Sam McCoy — engaged him further. “He taught all of us how to use a key to identify trees. It was just like a whole new world opening up,” said Don. “I’ll never forget him. He was a great, great teacher.” Now Don has his own key that he uses regularly to identify trees. And he has put this passion to work as he creates his own arboretum. The transformation was gradual, but the result is absolutely breathtaking. Five different spaces include places to sit and simply enjoy the view. Nuthatches, cardinals, wrens, frogs, turtles, and an assortment of other wildlife can be found. And one special dogwood stands out — a tribute to Don’s father. “We had a ceremony, and I put a stone there to commemorate my dad,” he said. This 30-year labor of love is also appreciated by the whole community. Everyone is invited to walk through the area and connect with nature. And though it doesn’t yet have an official name, Don has something in mind. “We’re thinking of naming it The Garden. Pam and I were sitting out there one time, and we could hear little kids going by asking their mom if they could go to the garden. The neighborhood kids, that’s what they call it.” Don and Pam have built a legacy — a beautiful space for people to escape and engage with the trees. It’s the kind of contribution that will live on for generations to come.
I
t’s not every day that Snoopy shows up to help plant trees. But when you’re restoring the tree canopy in the hometown of cartoonist Charles “Sparky” Schulz, it’s bound to happen!
plant 150 coast live oaks, 40 blue oaks, and 10 California buckeyes. All three of these species are native to the area and offer some level of fire resistance, a key component in today’s California landscape.
In October, volunteers and community members came together to plant trees in Santa Rosa, California. The Coffey Park neighborhood was completely destroyed in the Tubbs Fire in 2017 — no houses, trees, or shrubs were spared as the blaze made its way through. This planting was part of ongoing efforts to help the community become whole again. And since the city is home to the Charles M. Schulz Museum, it was only natural that Peanuts Worldwide LLC got involved.
Santa Rosa resident Kathy McConnell was among the volunteers that day. “I wanted to be a part of helping our community recover from a devastating fire,” she said. “Just seeing the new growth helps to make everyone feel better.”
Snoopy and the gang (including Jeannie Schulz and Craig Schulz, Sparky’s widow and son) gathered to 50136801
Arbor Day Foundation • 211 N. 12th St. • Lincoln, NE 68508
As the trees grow, they will provide much-needed benefits to the neighborhood, including cooling shade, improved air quality, stormwater management, mitigation of fire impact, and habitat for area birds and animals. Beyond the ecosystem benefits, these trees are also a symbol of hope, a sign of progress. Each addition to the community’s tree canopy makes it feel more like home.