It was a beautiful tree and did not have to die due to neglect and apathy. Why plant a new young tree to replace it if it's going to be neglected too. Who will commit to the care and nurturing of its growth? How many businesses downtown ignored it? Is this how our Chamber of Commerce goes about their stewardship of our struggling communities? Is this a sign of what to look forward to in Frazier Park for our young people's growth? Connect the dots.

Maybe these are just rumors but... It is my understanding that this once lovely tree was donated by Tejon Ranch to the Girl Scouts to replace another tree that died. An automatic watering system was in place--until the "Beautification" project. No "Beautification" worker notified anyone in Frazier Park that there was no longer an automatic watering system. How could any of these nice but imported workers know that this was a project of the Girl Scouts? The good people at La Sierra tried to help out doing some watering, but it was too late. The point is, if all this is true, the tree was being cared for until our version of Big Government stepped in, knowing what was best for us.

If a new tree will replace the one we just lost, a giant sequoia redwood would be far too prickly to decorate for Christmas, and also would shed very sharp twigs all around its base.

How about an incense cedar or white fir? Both of these are also California native trees, and both have soft, fragrant needles.