I think I got this proclivity for planting trees from my grandfather Frank Baumann, Sr. who died in 1935. They say that he would plant trees at random. But I didn't really realize my love for trees until I moved to Massachussetts 32 years ago. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the sugar maples that would turn hillsides into a fiery mosaic in the fall. Everything seemed so lush.

When I moved back to Illinois in 1972 I couldn't help notice the start contrast to the countryside here in the Midwest. The lack of trees in the countryside around Minonk made the area seem pretty barren compared to New England.

It soon dawned on me that trees are not revered in this area as they are elsewhere. Perhaps, it because of the agriculture economy. You make money planting corn, not trees. This realization became apparent again this weekend when I noticed that the Minonk city workers cut down 4 mature shade trees on East Eighth Street in order to make room for sewer tiles to be laid by Rupe Construction.

This concerned me for a couple of reasons. First of all, there was no provision in the contract with Rupe that the trees needed to be removed. When he requested that the trees be removed, the decision should have been made by a full vote of the city council with a proper discussion of the action instead of just shooting and asking questions later.

The second reason for my concern is, "Why do the trees have to be cut down in the first place?" Why can't the tile go around the trees? There is plenty of room between the berm and the street. It takes 60 years to grow trees of that size. In addition, it cost money to cut those trees down. An outside contractor had to be called in to cut down one of the trees. This money was not included in the sewer contract.

The city council should set down some guidelines on tree removal in this city. And they should be fair. City workers and contractors should not have the final say on tree removal.

We must realize that trees and proper landscaping can make a big difference in the impression people have when they first enter a community. Everyone knows how much better the downtown area looks since the planting of the trees along the parking lot. Conversely, look at how barren the truck stop complex is at the I-39 interchange. There is not a tree or bush planted anywhere. They haven't even planted grass! The city should have a contractual agreement with developers that landscaping be included in any development project. The Motel 6 owners are landscaping their property. I suspect that they don't appreciate the fact that their neigbor, the truck stop, has no landscaping.

A city tree program should be adopted that addresses tree planting as well as tree maintenance. Money should be budgeted each year to replace the trees that will eventually die.

The National Arbor Foundation provides free literature on this subject and also provides useful guidelines on tree maintenance. For example, they suggest that smaller flowering trees be planted under utility lines. They also remind us that one of the worst things you can do to a mature shade tree is to cut off the top branches. How many times have you seen a tree butchered like that? Much of the time these trees die.

I encourage everyone not only to plant trees but also to adopt a more benevolent attitude towards trees. There is nothing more beautiful than a tree. Their presence adds economic value to our property and provides a sense of protection and well-being to our soul.