Future Canopies

In our very special corner of Riverside, where every tree and home tell a story of time’s passage, my family and I found our place. As a landscape designer and a newcomer to this vibrant community, my journey has been one of discovery, learning, and, most recently, making tough but necessary decisions about the environment we call home.

Not too long after we moved in, we realized that a longstanding California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), despite its ubiquity in our local landscapes, was misplaced. I recognized its precarious position—too close to the house, its trunk awkwardly stretching toward the light, a silent testament to the complex dance between nature and the built environment. This realization set the stage for a decision that, while difficult, underscores the essence of responsible stewardship: the removal of the sycamore. This choice was not about loss but about an understanding and respect for our property as a whole. It was a reminder that our interactions with the natural world must be informed by knowledge and foresight. The need to remove the sycamore has, in turn, inspired a new tradition for our family.

Enter the concept of Arbor Day—a day we’ve earmarked to plant a new tree. It’s a ritual that feels particularly fitting, not just as a way to contribute to the beauty of our home but as a means to forge a deeper connection with the community before and after us. The act of planting a tree is about laying down roots in a very real sense. This tree, which we’ll choose and plant together, will grow alongside our family, offering beauty and habitat, and that thought fills us with a profound sense of continuity and hope for our future here.
In light of this, the Free Shade Tree Campaign offered by the city feels like a welcoming gesture for me. It’s an initiative that allows us to contribute positively to our neighborhood’s canopy, encouraging choices that are both aesthetic and beneficial. By participating, we beautify our surroundings and invest in the health and sustainability of our community. As we look forward to this Arbor Day, our excitement is not just for the act of planting itself but for what it represents: a deepening bond with our community, a lesson in approaching landscapes with intention and care.

When we choose to plant a tree, whether it be a vibrant Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis), or a graceful, now endangered Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica), we’re considering not just our immediate gratification but the sense of place and comfort we’re creating. This act of planting becomes an ethical mandate, a declaration that in caring for the earth, we are making decisions for all who come after us.

Lorena Guy is a practicing Landscape Designer,
and managing editor for the Association of Professional Landscape Designers’ (APLD) California Chapter
Magazine. She can be reached at
[email protected]