Re "Tree Foundation nurtures goal of planting 5 million" (Our Region, Feb. 2): Winter is the best time of year to clearly view the extent to which parasitic mistletoe is damaging the existing tree canopy that protects us from summer heat.
The Tree Foundation's focus on planting new trees is laudable. But efforts to extend the useful lives of mature trees through good pruning and disease control are equally important.
It makes little sense to squander the existing tree canopy that provides benefits today, not 10 years from now.
Even in middle and upper middle class neighborhoods, it's clear that many property owners are oblivious to mistletoe's damaging effects. The City of Sacramento has also chosen to ignore many mistletoe-infested trees on public property and along street frontages. Good stewardship of mature trees requires public education and placing priority on protecting current assets, as well as planting new trees for future benefits.
-- Gregory Ptucha, Sacramento
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