“I know which shade tree I want.”
A horseshow parent made that comment while unfolding three lawn chairs under the biggest tree around the arena. Soon chairs were placed under every one of the nine trees on the show grounds.
Actually it is one of a few if not the only arena with such convenient shade for show spectators. However, trees in parking areas anywhere near an arena are first to have trucks and trailers parked beside them. Often exhibitors arrive at a show early in order to get their favorite shaded parking location.
When the show gets underway, and the sun is bearing down between events, horseback riders are found under shade trees. Fortunately a number of eastern and central Kansas horse event arenas do have some trees for shade nearby.
Still many arenas have been constructed in fields far from trees and have no shade. That’s why many modern day exhibitors have portable tents and trailer awnings quickly setup on arrival at show grounds.
Shade from trees really does make a big difference in the outside temperature. Thermometers have proven it can be more than 30 degrees cooler under a shade tree than out in the sun.
Obviously that’s the case or people wouldn’t be so anxious to find the first tree they can for the shade. All one has to do is be out in the sun, go under a shade tree and immediately feel cooler.
Livestock is no different as obvious by the way cattle gather under a single tree in the pasture. When a pasture has some timber, that’s where the herd is found when the 100-degree plus midsummer sun beats down.
It is a major effort for ranchers to keep trees from intruding grasslands. Yet for the heat relief shade provides, some cattlemen do want to leave a few trees simply for that purpose.
Trees are essential for parks and new home landscape, but they require a long time to mature into shade.
Highway developers are going to take down a handful of front yard ranch trees, some many years old. There won’t be any shade from trees for a long time and no buffering sometimes loud noise of passing traffic.
Reminded of Daniel 4:12: “Foliage was beautiful and calming as people and animals found shade under the tree.”
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XV–37–9-12-2021