What’s the matter with you KCEC?

The year being what it was, back in January, I wasn’t at work at Northstar Plaza as often as usual. (Northstar is a half-mile north of the Old Blinking Light intersection on the east side of State Road 522.)

When I drove in one day, I noticed KCEC, Kit Carson Electric Coop, workers and a ‘Tree Trimming’ sign on the east side of the highway. I didn’t think much of it. There are overhead power lines at the edge of the slope, down from the highway and a row of trees on that slope near them. I didn’t look closely. Just trimming.

Then a week or so later when I went to turn into the Northstar drive down to the parking lot, I was shocked, for the savagery that had been done.

This was ‘tree-trimming’ by those who don’t plan to return for 30 or more years to manage the sight. Probably 30-some mature trees, trimmed right down to ugly, painful three-foot stumps. Mirroring I guess the slaughter in front of the Kachina Lodge on the Paseo. Although no artist will come with a palliative remedy to make them into darling little figures.

Now, on this quarter mile of perfect slope to catch run off from the highway, this established 30-year ecosystem of mature trees, which protected our building from dust, highway noise and the heat of the afternoon sun is just ugly and sad. None of these trees was directly under the lines. They were just doing what trees do — providing oxygen, soil, habitat and gentle, passive beauty. It was perhaps awkward to trim the side closest to the wires, but these guys have skill and equipment. And yes, that level of care would require some attention from time to time. Easier to just get your macho on and cut them down for someone’s firewood.

C’mon KCEC, as much as we appreciate you, with all your environmental goals, can’t you be a little more thoughtful in the tree department? These days, every tree is a prize, a bonus, a bounty. What’s the matter with you?

‘Every tree is a prize, a bonus, a bounty.’