This is really bothering me.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

So our Mayor is doing a Million Trees Initiative here in Tucson. A million trees planted in the desert. I could understand a million cactus, but trees?

If they want to plant them up in the burned parts of the mountain where the wild fires happen, yeah sure. It would help to prevent mudslides when it rains up there.

But we are barely out of a drought! And I don't want to think of how many will fall because the sand will work it way to their roots.

This is a disaster and money waste. We are not Flag Staff, a place that can grow trees. It's bad enough for the water levels with people growing grass and stuff ( things that die because of their want for water).

We are in the Senora desert for Pete's sake! Let's start growing things that likes the desert!

Ok, rant done.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. The harvest is political

You are correct to question it.

[Kali]

2. um there are many varieties of trees native to the Sonoran desert

and many more that are desert-adapted. sand does not "work its way" into roots" wtf? deep-rooted trees pump nutrients to the surface and provide litter to build soil. they provide food, shade, and shelter to humans and animals. nothing wrong with planting trees in the desert. now, the species can make a difference but even then sometimes high water use species may be appropriate in some circumstances. everybody wants cottonwoods and willows in the riparian areas...

here is more information - https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/pages/milliontrees-about

[Lady Freedom Returns]

3. But are they looking at those? No, no, no! Because most are being planted near a street!

It is going to be a disaster.

[Kali]

4. did you look at the link?

The Tucson Million Trees initiative uses a two-pronged approach. First, it is science-based, planting desert, shade, and drought tolerant trees and utilizing stormwater harvesting infrastructure whenever possible to capture, retain, and filter stormwater to irrigate and sustain desert shade trees. Second, it is people-centered ensuring that heat vulnerable communities are prioritized and included in the planning and planting of new trees. It focuses on creating green jobs, especially for underserved youth leaders.
This approach will result in a healthy urban forest that helps mitigate the effects of climate change, including the urban heat island effect, while creating green jobs for young environmental stewards.

bold mine

[Lady Freedom Returns]

5. It was a local briefing that was on tv. Mayor wanted to tell everyone.

Don't know of a link.

[Kali]

6. I posted a link in my first reply to you above. here it is again -

https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/pages/milliontrees-about

the quote I posted is from that page. here it is again -

The Tucson Million Trees initiative uses a two-pronged approach. First, it is science-based, planting desert, shade, and drought tolerant trees and utilizing stormwater harvesting infrastructure whenever possible to capture, retain, and filter stormwater to irrigate and sustain desert shade trees. Second, it is people-centered ensuring that heat vulnerable communities are prioritized and included in the planning and planting of new trees. It focuses on creating green jobs, especially for underserved youth leaders.
This approach will result in a healthy urban forest that helps mitigate the effects of climate change, including the urban heat island effect, while creating green jobs for young environmental stewards.

bold highlighting is mine