Cottonwood
“Being in the forest, out in nature, is such a breath of fresh air, such a mental vacation, it actually helps my work in a way…it relieves stress, makes me happy…see all the stories that the forest tells you.” - Chelsea
Oral History with Chelsea W. Recorded by Zeb on February 27, 2025.
Childhood: “I spent so much of my life running around Joshua Tree National Park.” Regarding living in Portsmouth: “History if my favorite part of living in Portsmouth.”
“As a kid I liked to hike, run, take survival classes..national parks are one of America’s greatest things.”
“Being in the forest, out in nature, is such a breath of fresh air, such a mental vacation, it actually helps my work in a way…it relieves stress, makes me happy…see all the stories that the forest tells you.”
Regarding trees possibly endangered: “I’m worried about state of forests because of climate change…all rain, flooding….it makes me sad..they literally help us…prevent soil erosion, air quality, on and on…makes me really really sad…what are we doing to combat this?”
Have perceptions changed from child to adult regarding trees etc? “I have more respect for them now…didn’t think about them being endangered, just played in them…now more motivated to want to save/preserve them.”
PITCH PINE
"There was pine forest all around me, and the best neighbors were turkeys, bears, and squirrels." - Julene
“When I was young I was a tomboy and played in the trees a lot…whatever boys did I would try…It’s a fact, if boys can do it we can too.”
Regarding Hillview “there’s trees all around here and one that is sooooo yellow in the fall…prettiest one I’ve seen….at least we can go outside and we feel like we’re out in the country…they’ve got a million trees here (I’m exaggerating)...I like maples, I like Walnut trees…the easy ones.”
What enjoyed about living in KY? ”…enjoyed country ride, go up to WV down through the mountains in the fall, so beautiful, breathtaking…I liked that…I was born up a holler, across a creek and born in a cabin..83 years ago.”
What enjoyed doing outside? “gardening, planting flowers, playing with the dog…she’s the mascot around here…”
Trees significant? “in FL you want them close around the house to pull the sun away from the house in the winter…where I lived pine forest all around me and best neighbors were turkeys, bears, and squirrels - really we had a rare breed of squirrels down there..markings like a raccoon..I saw a bear once there, raccoon, alligator once.”
Ever worry about environment? “only about fires, always worry about fires.. they’re awful…we have lots of deer here and there’s nowhere for them to go..the trees are gone we’ve taken their homes away from them …like the Indians.”
Environment worse or better since a child? “worse, we’re killing ourselves…we need to take care of our garbage and trash, we’re just throwing it around.”
Did you know there are endangered trees in southern Ohio? “Remember dad liking pawpaws, I’ve seen one but never tasted it, mommy snarled her nose up to it never liked it so I wouldn’t try it...Is there anything I can do now (about endangered trees)?”
SHELLBARK HICKORY
"If male, you would squirrel hunt and look for nut trees- hickory. I could identify nut trees when young and hunting... that was my reason for knowing them.
- Everett
Oral history with Everett C. and Bruce Ky. Interviewed by Savannah and Kya at Hillview Retirement Community on 2/28/25.
Regarding trees at risk: “if male, you’d squirrel hunt and look for nut trees - hickory. I could a identify nut trees when young and hunting…that was my reason for knowing them He back then…” Practical uses for trees? “firewood of course and for nuts, apples whatever kind of tree it was.”
Changes over the years? “when I was that big I could pick out hickory trees for squirrel hunting…hunting not as common as it used to be…not as many places to hunt as anymore…building houseschis, dividing up farmland…”
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Bruce: “had career in environmental issues, experience with EPA. Lots of rules and regulations increased a lot in 30 years..hopefully will keep increasing so we can have fresh water again…lots of cancer in this area along Ohio River - chemical plants, A plant… at one time it was a good place to work but dumping stuff in river...”
Importance of preserving nature? “yes, more animals, more healthy to be in the woods…nice to go out in the forest.”
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