Barras named Hometown Beautification Hero

Published 8:11 am Saturday, October 8, 2016

Special to The Leader

It has been said, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago!”

Since this is impossible, the next best thing is to transplant a tree that is 20 years old.

Meet Naomi, fresh from Louisiana, this 25 feet-plus Live Oak Tree was recently planted in the beautiful downtown historical Orange neighborhood by owners Leslie Barras and Kevin McAdams.

After the property lost a mature Live Oak during Hurricane Rita, the couple decided they did not want to wait another 20 years for the economical and environmental benefits provided by a full-grown canopy tree.

They “dug deep”- literally and figuratively- and purchased Naomi (lovingly named by Leslie’s mother). Trees have always been part of Orange County’s Cultural Heritage. The benefit of trees is immense. A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

It is a generous and noble act to protect, preserve, propagate and plant large canopy trees. For this reason Keep Orange County Beautiful is pleased to recognize Barras and McAdams for this valuable gift with its ensuing environmental benefits; and proud to name them KOCB’s Hometown Beautification Hero.  

Keep Orange County Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful. For more information on KOCB visit our website at www.KOCB.org