Emerson Little, in his Fullerton Observer article “Is Fullerton Still a Tree City?” writes: Fullerton was the first city in Orange County to receive the “Tree City USA” designation, and among the first of 6 cities in California to receive such designation Statewide.

One of the characteristics that sets Fullerton apart from surrounding cities is its extensive urban forest.  Fullerton’s urban forest is made up of all the trees and landscape on public and private property within the City’s corporate boundaries.

The City maintains an inventory over 40,000 trees including 65 varieties.  

Now we have 66 varieties as contractors “create” a tree south of Parks Junior High School.  It is a cross between a eucalyptus, leaves of a variety never seen before and, of course, cell phone antennas.  Planting around the tree includes a blockhouse containing lots of electrical equipment.  

Joyce Kilmer’s poem “Trees” is appropriate only to counter this less than attractive addition to “Tree City.”

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.