Trees and development are not mutually exclusive, a nationally known urban forester and natural-resource planner told a group of developers, bankers, local leaders, federal officials and Keep Greene Beautiful members on Tuesday.

Steven W. Clark, president of Brentwood-based Steve Clark Inc., told the group assembled at Trinity United Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon that it often is just as economical for developers to move trees and replant them later than it is to simply clear all vegetation from land during development.

He said that his firm has overseen the transplantation of trees that, with the earth clinging to their massive roots, weigh huge amounts.

Clark also said that smaller trees can be transplanted to holding areas and used later on other projects, or even sold to other developers.

Noting that 98 percent of properly transplanted trees live, Clark said that some developers are starting seedling programs using smaller trees transplanted from construction sites. If not needed on the current project, trees may be used later on other projects or sold to other developers.

During his remarks to the Greeneville audience, Clark stressed reliance on “common sense” during property development and called on developers and governmental officials to cooperate for the good of their communities.

‘Common Sense Is Genius’

“Mark Twain said, ‘Common sense is genius,’” Clark said.

He pointed out that it does not take a genius to realize that people like trees.
“If you interview people and ask, ‘Do you like trees?’ how many do you think are going to say ‘No”? he said.

Clark, who counts national firms such as Wal-Mart among his clients and has handled construction projects in 40 states and Canada, said there is always a way to accomplish even massive construction projects without killing trees on the
construction sites.

As an example, he cited work related to the famed St. Charles streetcar line in New Orleans, the only remaining streetcar line in the Crescent City and a major tourist attraction, as well as a major transportation link for many residents there.

In the New Orleans project, Clark said, his firm developed a plan for protecting trees adjacent to 150-year-old trolley car tracks that were to be replaced.

New tracks were installed, but as a result of his plan, hundreds of massive trees that had grown up along the tracks were not harmed, he said.

Clark also showed slides of construction projects in which multi-story buildings had been erected in the midst of 100-foot-tall trees without killing the trees.

In one Texas case, he said, some trees were moved and the branches of surrounding trees “tied back” while a multi-story building was built. The branches were freed when construction was completed, leaving the tips of branches literally brushing the sides of the building.

Offices on the top floor of the building literally appeared to be in the tops of 100-foot-tall sycamore trees when the project was completed, Clark said.

To those who would question the cost of such projects, Clark said, “I would not be standing here if they were not affordable.”

Bemoans ‘Lack Of Stewardship’

At times sounding much like an evangelist, Clark said he feels that “the biggest problem” with America today is “lack of stewardship.” He noted that the present generation must take responsibility for caring for the environment so that it will be there, unharmed, for the next generation.

His concept of stewardship of natural resources, Clark said, can be summed up as “God gave (natural resources) to us to use — but not to use up.”
Clark also noted that all who are concerned with property development need to act with integrity.

“Any idiot can sell someone what they want, but it takes integrity to sell them what they need,” he said.

The urban forester and natural resource planner also noted that his “common sense approach” to development stresses what he calls the “three C’s”: communication, coordination and cooperation.”

Concerning communication, he said he believes that many problems between developers and local governments can be solved by the two groups’ simply listening to one another.

About the importance of coordination, Clark said, it is important for citizens and local government leaders to take responsibility for developing a “systematic approach” to development in their communities.

“Anyone who doesn’t have a systematic approach is going to be at the mercy of someone who does,” he said, noting that developers likely are going to have systematic approaches. “Remember, it’s your community.”

He also noted that he believes members of local planning commissions need training to be able to deal with complex development projects.

Clark’s appearance was sponsored locally by Appalachian RC&D Council, the
Tennessee Valley Authority, the USDA Forest Service, the Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, and Keep Greene Beautiful.

He also addressed the Homebuilders Association of Greater Kingsport on Tuesday evening.