The State Tree of Louisiana : Cypress
Cypress provide habitat for threatened and endangered species, protect from flooding, clean the water and are important for migratory birds.
These great trees, some of which are a 1,000 years old, are being sold in $2 bags in the big box stores such as Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Lowe's. The Gulf Restoration Network ( Joe @healthygulf.org ) was organized to save the Cypress and they've contacted all the aforementioned stores to stop selling the mulch, but thus far have had no success.
I call on all tree lovers to send an email to www.healthygulf.org to join the list of people that are sending a message to the CEO's of the big box stores to stop selling cypress mulch. Click on the category OUR WORK and select Save the Cypresses. They're trying to collect 5,000 emails.
The Cypress tree has stood for eons in the Louisiana and Florida wetlands and are an integral part of the landscape, hostory, culture and future.
I've alerted the owner of the garden center where I work and have added my email to the CEO's. Won't you join us to save a tree that is a vital part of history ?
Awesome post, Carolyn! I am going to assume that the bigbox bullies here in Canada also sell this stuff, and I'll send an email too. Every voice helps, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteSo true. I am a Louisiana girl raised by my logger father to respect trees. Through responsible harvesting, many trees can be used for mulch, pulp and so forth with no ill-effects to the tree cover. However, to cut down trees of this caliber and type to make a tidier garden is ridiculous. Thanks for drawing attention to this matter!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a distressing story Carolyn. I wrote about the same thing a few months back and was encouraged to see that *apparently* many of the big box stores were ceasing their orders for cypress mulch. It would be interesting to know whether they are actually following through on their promises.
ReplyDeleteSure does, Jodi, and thanks. I've asked to be notified of any progress the Gulf Restoration Org. may get.
ReplyDeleteHi Louisiana Woman! Love that song, Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man.
ReplyDeleteI've visited your lovely state and I hope we can get enough attention to make a difference.
Hi Stuart,
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed your post on the subject. I still see cypress mulch everywhere in Chicago-gas stations, grocery stores, big box stores so I don't know what progress has been made in stopping it.
The Gulf Restoration Org. promised to keep me informed on their campaign.
And I must plead ignorant and very sorry about the fact that I've used a bit of cypress mulch these past few years. Thanks for the "heads-up."
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shady Gardener. I didn't know about the cypress mulch either until my friends in Florida told me.
ReplyDeleteHere they go again, kill beautiful trees to make a $2 bag of mulch. I say, go local. Use the stuff from your local tree service. They will give it to you for free. Just let it sit for a year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post and valuable information! I also find it quite disturbing that endangered trees are cut down just for mulch. I think it is great that you are raising the awareness of trees.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dan and welcome to Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. I find it very disturbing as well.
ReplyDelete