Email-a-tree
During the Earth Art Bainbridge arts festival in April 2016, community members and visitors could visit beautiful and historic trees around Bainbridge Island. Special trees were assigned their very own email addresses so you could email-a-tree and tell the tree what you think. The trees received many heart-felt messages–they thank you!
The trees that participated in Email-a-tree are listed below. To see the large size photograph of any tree, just click on an image below.
American Elm
I’m 64 feet tall! I was planted here by Robert Cave on his property in 1903. I have seen my area become a parking lot for a pet store and finally saved by the city that help to pay for the removal of the pavement around my roots. I am now a proud sentinel for the Historical Museum. I’ve continued to thrive and now-a-days, and watch pedestrians as they walk down Ericksen Ave. on their way to downtown. Do they know I enjoy watching them every single day and often wish they would stop to say “Hello” and e-mail me to say you love me?
Sycamore
I too was planted here by Robert Cave in 1903. Today, I stand in front of the Historical Museum. Saved from destruction via pavement, I’ve continued to thrive and now-a-days, I offer stories in my bark. Next time you come by, see if you can see a story in my bark.
Red Oak
I was planted by Mr. Cave back in 1903 along with my friends American Elm and the Sycamore. Together we watch over visitors to the island and provide shade from the hot summer sun. I’m 88 feet tall and have a circumference of 12’8″. Please stop by in the fall and see me in all my splendor when my leaves change into wondrous colors from orange red to deep red. Please e-mail me about how I made you feel today.
White-barked Himalayan Birch
I was planted by Bart Berg in 1993 when the Playhouse was built. Since then I have thrived and enjoy watching the many people who have performed in this theater as well as those who have come to see them perform. Please stop and touch my beautiful bark and make me feel part of this community.
Silver Maple
I have been standing here for over 100 years. I feel very special since I am the only one of my species in the downtown area. So many people pass by me on the way to the theater or to the Farmer’s Market but few –if any stop to say “Hi”. Please take a moment to look at my splendid canopy that provides shelter from the sun and the rain. Hug me and I will tell you stories of things I have seen and heard!
Oshio Beni Japanese Maple
My nickname is “OB”. I was saved from development at the corner of Ericksen and Winslow Way and moved to my present home on August 12, 2002 using a special air spade to prevent damage to my roots. I am unique in having dramatic foliage color. In spring my foliage is orange to purple-red. Summer my foliage develops a green cast changing to reddish-purple. In the fall, my color is bright orange-red. How may of you have noticed my beautiful colors? The next time you visit the theater or the Farmer’s Market, please e-mail me to say that my efforts to awe you are not all in vain and I will continue to do my best to dazzle you!
Siberian Elm
We are the only Siberian Elm trees in Winslow. Look how beautiful our bark is. Do you see anything interesting when you look at us? How many of you have even noticed us wave at you when you go to the theater? Please e-mail us to say you feel when you see our leaves and branches wave to you as you walk under us.
Norway Spruce
I’m the tallest tree in Winslow, standing at 81 feet tall. The view from my top is great. I am over 100 years old. In Europe, where I’m from, people often use me as their Christmas tree. How many of you have noticed me waving to you as you walk to the theater?
Sugar Maple
I turn a beautiful red color in the fall. Do you think they call me “sugar” maple because I am famous for producing maple syrup? I am also on the Canadian flag! I am also the official State Tree of New York! Please stop by on your way downtown from City Hall, BPA or Farmer’s Market to say “Hello”. I could also do with a hug. Please e-mail me to say what you like (or dislike!) about me.
Black Walnut
I’m one of only two Black Walnut trees in Winslow. I’m 40 feet tall, but wider than I am tall; see how much I spread out? My leaves are a beautiful yellow in the fall. Have you noticed how lovely my bark is? I watch over the cars that park in my lot below BPA. Do I have stories to tell!
Choke Cherry “Shubert”
Lots of people confuse me for a plum tree like the ones across the street. My name is Shubert, and I am truly unique being the only one of my species in the entire area! I am 30 ft. tall and 32 ft. wide. My leaves are green in the spring while the purple plum trees across the street turn purple. Later in the spring, I join the plum trees in changing my leaves to a purple too. I stand at the junction of busy Winslow and Madison Ave. watching pedestrians crossing the street from all directions! Please stop to look at my splendid canopy and let me know what you think of me. Send me an e-mail with any questions you may have and I will try and answer them.
Japanese Black Pine
I was planted in the church grounds when the church was first built in 1903. I was quite old! I saw many events take place in the church grounds and was hugs and played under by many kids from the nearby school.
Unfortunately, this tree was cut down during Earth Art Bainbridge. We have selected another similar tree to participate; look for the sign on a pine tree close to the church.
Black Locust
I am the biggest deciduous tree in the downtown area and am now truly a landmark tree in the whole downtown area! I was here when the church was built in 1903 and have continued to watch over the church grounds. My position by the sidewalk gives me a chance to see all that goes on downtown. Please stop and say “Hi” and I will continue to prove beautiful summer and fall foliage for you. Have you noticed I have another species growing in me? The cotoneaster in my trunk decided I was a good place to grow one day. I don’t mind.
Ponderosa Pine
I was planted in the church grounds when the church was first built in 1903. I am indeed old! I have seen many events take place in the church grounds. I now watch over the community gardens and love to see the children come to tend the gardens each day. I wish some of them would stop and say “Hi” to me or better still, e-mail how they feel about my needles and cones that I try so hard to drop for them.
Monkey Puzzle
I love the place where I stand. It gives me a view of the church grounds and the Village Shopping center. Though I am tall and have magnificent flowing branches, very few notice me! I am the scion of seeds that were originally brought back to the UK in 1795 from Chile by Archibald Menzies. Menzies was the naval surgeon aboard Captain Cook’s old ship Discovery, then under the command of Captain George Vancouver and on a four-year circumnavigation of the globe. Only three seedlings from the five brought back survived. I thus have a long history! Are my seeds edible? E-mail me and I will tell you!
Weeping Crabapple
I watch over Stephen’s House. Did you know that I am the only weeping crabapple tree in the downtown area? Please stop and talk to me. I am just off the sidewalk on your way to downtown Winslow. Better yet, e-mail me about how you feel after seeing me.
English Walnut
I was planted in 1885 by Ambrose Grow on his property. Mr. Grow came to the island in 1880 and his first house is now the Harbor Pub. A few years ago, the City wanted to tear up my roots to dig a trench. This would have killed me. Lucky for me, my owner saved me, and the City dug the trench by hand leaving my roots intact. I’m grateful I still stand in front of this historic house in this beautiful garden providing shade for all those who sit underneath me.
Strawberry Tree
Bet you can’t guess why I’m called the Strawberry tree. Do you think it’s because my fruit turns red in the fall and looks just a bit like strawberries? That could be it.
Gold Bark Choke Cherry
I am located in front of Cafe Nola. I am a gold bark choke cherry. Look at magnificent color of my leaves in the fall. So many pass by me but few take the time to talk to me.
Chestnut
I am over 100 years old. I was saved when Harbor Square was built by the action of many citizens who came to my rescue! I am now much admired by the residents.
Black Locust
Few citizens see me tucked in the field just off Wyatt Way and Lowell Ave. I am over 200 years old and the oldest black locust remaining in Kitsap County. I was saved by the action of two little children—Eleanor and Sebastian Ford—who came every day to see me and write about me. They pleaded with the city to save me from development! They believed that destroying this tree would be a betrayal of their imagination and a looting of their future.
Big Leaf Maple
I am a Big Leaf Maple standing on the corner of Wyatt and Madison. I am over 150 yrs. old and was saved from proposed development by a group of citizens who went to court to save me. I hope you will come by and see why I am so happy that I am still able to provide so much pleasure to all who walk by me.
Willow
I am a Willow tree arching over Wyatt Way E. I am over 150 yrs. old and was saved from proposed development by a group of citizens who went to court to save me. I hope you will come by and see why I am so happy that I am still able to provide so much pleasure to all who walk by me or drive under my outstretched arms.
Sycamore
I am Sycamore at Battle Point Park. Standing by the playground so that all the children who come to this park can admire my beautiful bark. However, so few have taken the time to come hug me.
Cottonwood
I am the oldest cottonwood tree in the downtown area. Although my roots were cut to build the road and sidewalk, I have managed to survive and continue to proudly stand at this corner to be much admired by all.
Western Red Cedar
I am a western red cedar just down the path from the entrance to the grand forest. I am over 100 years old. Have you noticed my beautiful form and canopy? I continue to bring pleasure and serenity to all those who walk under my canopy. Always remember, “Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precept, they preach undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.“—Hermann Hesse