Too much fun
I totally support unstructured outdoor play for kids, especially during these strange pandemic times. Kids need exposure to nature. When I found out, last year, that my son got to spend a few hours at school building forest forts, I was delighted. Clearly, he had fun and I was happy he spent time outdoors, away from his classroom.
Then, one day I got an e-mail asking me for ideas about tree protection. Protection from what? Unruly kids! Yes, the kids played in a park inside their strata complex and they went crazy.
Missing Katsura bark
The kids enjoy peeling off Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) bark. Luckily, the abuse is superficial. The bark is partly peeled anyway but the strata president was still asking for ideas. And I thought that was strange. Why not approach the kids and educate them? Right there, in the park.
Personally, as a father of two and ISA certified arborist, I would explain that the Katsura trees need their bark for protection from the elements, pests, diseases, and birds and animals; plus kids, of course. Much like the kids need their own skin.
Then, I would list the most important and free ecosystem services trees provide. I’m sure kids would understand oxygen and shade. Mention as many as you can.
You can see the light brown area where the bark went missing but I think the strata president is over-reacting. I doubt the tree will be affected. But still, I would take the time to educate the kids.
Broken branches
Broken branches are a bigger problem because the wound could potentially invite pests and diseases inside the tree. It’s also awful aesthetically, broken as it is behind a park bench. I had to remove it as soon as I found a handsaw in the truck. Otherwise it would bother me all day.
When you make a nice cut, the tree will be able to cover up the wound.
Conclusion
Don’t be afraid to educate kids on-the-go, right in the park, about trees. Because trees provide us with many free ecosystem services, they should be loved and protected, not vandalized.
Of course, trees are resilient but I would leave that out from my lesson. The missing bark shouldn’t affect the trees and I pruned off the broken branches right away.
Plants are life!
