Existing Tree Canopy within our City

​Recently I read a post on face book by a person who stated that she loved the tree canopy that lined many of the streets in her home town of Monroe, GA and it was a delight whenever she visited to drive through our town.  The same day I received mail from the Arbor Day Foundation that reminded of the benefits these lovely old trees provide.  Among them were that trees save energy, by cooling the environment, they also help prevent air pollution by absorbing carbon emissions, and  cared for they add beauty to our communities


As a lovely small town that values preserving its history and natural resources, how do we address the conflict that may occur between preserving these ancient trees and maintaining our infrastructure so that our citizens are not without needed utilities in the event of storms or other events.


So what is the solution?  Many cities simply cut back trees in a manner that destroys their beauty and also makes them less stable.  Other cities replace the overhead lines with underground utilities.  Whether they can do this or not is often determined by cost and the willingness of the citizens.















​​The importance of preserving good healthy trees within our historic and existing neighborhoods within our city limits can not be over emphasized. The shade an old tree brings a house, sidewalk, or street cannot be recreated, bought, or manufactured and in my opinion an old trees shade doesn't get the credit it deserves.
As the city of Monroe grows and changes we should remember the true value of our trees and find the proper balance between maintaining our electrical wires and maintaining our trees.


  co written by James Draper III and Marianne Daughety

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