In the early days of Lake Panorama’s development, pine trees lined both sides of Panorama Road at the main west entrance to the lake, north of what was originally a guard shack. As those trees reached the end of their life span, they were removed but no replacements were planted.
In 2012, LPA members provided the impetus for a fundraising campaign, and a number of trees were planted to replace those that were lost.
In recent years, at least another dozen trees along the west entrance have been removed, with both storm damage and disease being contributing factors. The trees planted in 2012 helped cushion the blow of these more recent losses, yet gaps remained where trees once stood.
Now trees have been replaced in that area, plus at both Sunset Beach and Boulder Beach. In January, the LPA partnered with Friends of Lake Panorama on a fundraising campaign. An original goal of $4,500 was set to plant 13 trees on the west side.
In March, donations reached $7,425. The extra funds made it possible to add more trees than planned to the west entrance and at Sunset Beach. Also, contacts were made with three donors who agreed to let their money be used for trees at Boulder Beach, where several ash trees recently were removed.
Larry and Heather Isom, who live on Burchfield Cove and own Isom Tree Farm, put together a plan for spending the donated funds.
During the last weekend in March, Larry Isom planted seven sugar maples with a tree spade. One was planted near the Sunset Beach sports court, with another in an open area at Boulder Beach. The remaining five were planted along the west entrance. The Isoms donated one of the sugar maples.
The last weekend in April, 15 nursery trees were planted, with two at Sunset Beach—a London planetree near the northwest corner of the sports court, and one autumn blaze maple near the northwest corner of the playground. Two autumn blaze maple, one red maple and one London planetree were planted at Boulder Beach. The remaining nine nursery trees were planted along the west entrance.
Donors to Friends of Lake Panorama for this tree planting project included John Miller, In Memory of Karen K. Miller; Jay & Sue Merryman; Kevin & Jackie Wellik; Michael & Barbara Bahde, In Memory of Keith & Helen Nelson; Bob & Carol Bender, In Honor of the Art Bender Family; John & Jennifer Dilley, In Memory of Jackie Berguin; James & Vickie Meyer; Dennis & Joyce Pickering; Rusty & Angie H. Smith, In Honor of John & Margie Herold; Brian & Jill Thompson; Steve & Danielle Navarro; Charles & Christine Woods; and Gary & Tamra Muhlbauer.
The Lake Panorama Association has committed to weekly watering of the trees along Panorama Road, as needed. Volunteers may be needed to water trees at Boulder Beach and Sunset Beach. Anyone interested in helping with tree watering at either of these two beaches is asked to contact Lane Rumelhart at the LPA office, 641-755-2301, or lrumelhart@lakepanorama.org.