Local 'hero' has strong community roots

Carson City residents who participated in the city's first Shade Tree Hero contest chose a young horse-chestnut as their favorite.

The winning tree, growing strong at the residence of Robert and Eleanor Lawson, 3201 Baker Drive, is only about 8 years old. But it's still impressive even at its young age, said Terri Ozawa, the council member who nominated it for the award, part of the tree "election" conceived and sponsored by the Shade Tree Council.

The group advises the Board of Supervisors about ordinances, policies, regulations and standards aimed at preserving and enhancing the community forest. It's also known as the Tree Honor Roll Program.

Ozawa saw the tree for the first time several years ago as she walked down Baker Drive one spring day. It was just a sapling, but so beautiful "it stopped me in my tracks," she said.

Its branches were "so heavily laden with rosy blossom clusters that I wondered how so small a tree could make such a grand display."

"It takes an exceptional specimen to stand out," Ozawa said. "It's a little exclamation point in the landscape of an exceptionally beautiful city."

The young tree is a spring bloomer, but still is a sight to behold, she said.

The awards ceremony is 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Lawson residence. Members of the Shade Tree Council, city staff and dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony, during which a purple ribbon will be tied around the winning tree.

The award was conceived by Mary Moline, another member of the council.

"The idea is to call attention to the importance of trees in a community and to raise public awareness about the need to preserve and protect them," Moline said of her idea.

These are the other local trees nominated for the award. Each member of the council named one tree for the ballot, which was open to voting by residents for several weeks this summer:

• 1900 Maxwell Road, Norma Furnal, pine, age unknown.

• 1890 Newman Place, Louis and Barbara Larson, red oak, 20-plus years old.

• 2 Circle Drive, Mae McGowan, blue spruce, 55 years old.

• 605 Drew Way, Dawn Shaughnessy, Idaho locust, 32 years old.

• 1529 Telegraph St., Tammy Holt, cottonwood, 30-plus years old.

• 404 Mary St., Shawn Springer, willow, 70-plus years old.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

What: Shade Tree Hero ceremony

When: 5:30 p.m., Friday

Where: The front yard of the Lawson residence, 3201 Baker Drive