“Of all the wonders of nature, a tree in summer is perhaps the most remarkable; with the possible exception of a moose singing 'Embraceable You' in spats.” – Woody Allen
It may not be the first thing you notice as you drive on to Sprint’s headquarters in Overland Park, KS, but right here at the tail end of winter there’s new landscaping adorning our main entrance. To date, nearly 40 trees have been replanted along the edge of our largest campus lake. And thought it’s not easy being brown (in the winter … in the Midwest) don’t let their humble appearance fool you. These trees are survivors, replanted from our in-house tree farm.
The tree farm was originally set up to heal trees damaged in a 2002 ice storm. Dozens of trees became damaged or too unsightly to leave in the campus landscape. Those trees were dug up and placed in 300 gallon pots where they could heal through pruning and other natural means. Over time, other trees were added to the farm and allowed to mature. As trees die through attrition, disease, or storm damage, they are replaced with these home grown beauties.
This spring, as the saved trees mature, their value will become more visually obvious. But their inherent value is never lost on those involved with environmental stewardship. Replanting these trees not only creates a natural habitat for birds and other wildlife, but advances Sprint’s sustainability as well.
The remainder of the previously potted plants will be in their new location in early April, weather permitting, and as long as the moose keep their show on the road.
