Every October, flecks of red, gold, and orange flicker in autumn sunlight in the leafy canopies above the streets of Winston-Salem. Recently though, a listener noticed breaks in certain canopies. She asked Carolina Curious:
“Why have so many large trees fallen over this year in Winston-Salem, especially near Robinhood Road and Reynolda Road?”
WFDD’s April Laissle took a walk with a tree expert to find the answer.
The root of the problem
For Ron Stanley, “What’s your favorite tree?” is a tough question with a two-part answer.
“Oh, mercy,” he says. “Would have to say for a species, native tree, it's eastern hemlock. And my favorite individual is probably the ancient cypress tree that I got to give a hug.”
Stanley has dedicated his life to trees, first as a forest ranger and then as an arborist and landscaper. As we walk along the Reynolda Gardens trail to Reynolda Road, his love for them comes through in the word