City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1472807
Tree of Merit, Becky Schwartz Reports: "Becky Schwartz Reports" is a journalistic take on the Tree of Merit series where Becky celebrates the diverse ecoregions of the U.S. by collaborating with urban foresters in these unique areas. Wilhelmina Tenney Rainbow Shower (Cassia × nealiae 'Wilhelmina Tenney') My mouth dropped to the ground and stayed there the first time I visited Hawai'i. On a trip withmy wife and parents to Kauaʻi, I could not believe the beauty and variety of the landscape—from coastal ecosystems that reminded me of Southern California, to lushly vegetated mountains and canyons. Since then, we've also visited the island of Maui, where we saw wet, tropical landscapes in surpris- ingly close proximity to dry, drought-stricken ones. Hawai'i's variety and juxtaposition of ecore- gions led me to reach out to fellow SMA Diversity Mentoring Program participant Terri-Ann Koike; she is an Administrative Specialist II for the City and County of Honolulu. Terri-Ann con- nected me with her colleague Brandon Au. Brandon is the Park Grounds Improvement Supervisor II for the City and County of Honolulu in Hawaii. Brandon has been employed with the City for over 20 years and recently acquired his Registered Consulting Arborist credential from the American Society of Consulting Arborists. His time is devoted to reviewing and inspecting private developer projects for street trees, tree preservation, and res- toration for City facility projects, and contracting and overseeing in-house beautification projects. Brandon Au is the head of the Nursery and Landscape Section in the Division of Urban Forestry, Department of Parks and Recreation, City and County of Honolulu in Hawaii. He is employed with the City for over 20 years and recently acquired his Registered Consulting Arborist credential from the American Society of Consulting Arborists. Terri-Ann "Terri" Koike is the Administrative Specialist for the Division of Urban Forestry, Department of Parks and Recreation, City and County of Honolulu. Terri holds ISA credentials as a Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, TRAQ; she is the Hawaii lead ISA exam proctor and liaison to the Western Chapter ISA credentialing committee. Collaborators: Terri-Ann Koike and Brandon Au • Photos by Brandon Au 'Wilhelmina Tenney' rainbow shower tree in Honolulu. 38 CityTREES