City trees need big drink of water

he general weediness of city medians continues. The strips that separate streets all over town are overgrown in some areas, overrun with weeds in others and generally unsightly, with a few glorious exceptions.

TMeanwhile, the city of Santa Fe is working to hire seasonal parks workers so that it can do a better job of keeping up with park maintenance and, of course, making the medians all over town presentable. Mayor Javier Gonzales even took to Twitter this week to let people know about the jobs, writing on Tuesday about, “Great opportunity to join our Parks Family at entry levels and help continue to Make Santa Fe beautiful! http://www.santafenm.gov/job_opportunities/detail/2018-014 … @SantaF eGov.”

We look forward to seeing those workers out and about, improving the appearance of the city before the high summer tourist season is in full swing. Not every median, we understand, will be as lush and inviting as those by the Roundhouse or on Old Pecos Trail heading into town. But, as we have written before, surely Santa Fe can do better.

And, while we worry about weeds and overgrowth, don’t neglect other important aspects of plant care. Trees in medians, just like trees on private property or lining the streets, need to be watered to thrive. The cost of planting and keeping trees healthy is considerable, yet on medians along north St. Francis Drive, for example, the trees appear thirsty and tired. They need water, and fast, especially since the weather forecast for the days ahead remains hot and sunny.

As we wrote last week, green plants — trees, bushes, flowers, the like — are essential to helping cool cities even while temperatures rise. Trees are attractive and provide shade, but they also help us breathe easier. They assist in reducing ozone levels in urban areas, and they remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air. That helps cool the planet and our own corner of it. Science has shown that a mature canopy tree can absorb enough carbon and release enough oxygen to sustain two human beings.

Santa Fe needs the cooling power of trees. Please, water the ones in the ground and find places to plant more. Then, while the water is running, start pulling out the weeds.