The most popular column in our paper, far and away, is Indy Soul, a listing of live music for the coming week. Locals love their music. Visitors, same.
Companies are becoming more aware of the environmental challenges of simply taking what they want when they want it – cork trees for wine bottle stoppers, teak trees for yachts, ebony trees for guitar bridges and fretboards.
Taylor Guitars and Gryphon Stringed Instruments, two California companies, are manufacturing instruments from native trees that have been marked for removal – trees that are in the way of power lines, views or building sites. Those trees are being turned into acoustic guitars.
Trees, like the shamel ash, have the high-quality resonance and affordable price tag musicians can brag about and listeners will appreciate with 5 stars.
It feels highly evolved to stop loggers from cutting six ebony trees to find one with jet-black wood inside because someone will pay highest dollar for it.
West Coast Arborists manages the effort, and they plant two trees for every one removed.
Don’t fret. Listen to the music.