It is with great dismay that I read the ad in the May 13 edition announcing R.G. Harris Co. Specimen Tree Farm is going out of business.
The tree farm has been a blessing for those of us who don’t wish to plant a sapling and wait decades until we get a tree. For about the same amount of money President Clinton spends on a haircut, we outfitted our back yard with lush, tropical specimens.
A phone call to the tree farm revealed that the business is closing and selling its land to make way for a “big estate.” Malibu needs another “big estate” like Surfrider Beach needs more pollution. On the other hand, the loss of a small business selling a niche product will be felt.
I think we’re going to look back on the 2Oth century as that gentle era when we still were able to patronize a family-run business. The Harris tree farm has had very good stock at reasonable prices. Now we’re left to head to the nearest Home Depot for scrawny trees mass-grown in Texas with about a 50-percent chance for survival.
We’ll miss you, R.G. Harris.
Chris Ford