Local trees are rooted in history

DAVENPORT – A recent local Facebook post asked the question, "Why are so many people in Davenport cutting down trees?" That's a tough question to answer. Perhaps there's a valid reason for these acts such as diseased or hazardous trees, or maybe it has something to do with the maintenance required to enjoy them. Raking leaves can get old, but should we take into account a little history before making such a final decision to remove a tree?

When early pioneers came to Lincoln County there weren't many trees near the present townsites. Davenport, for example, appears as a barren scabland in the...