One of Joni Mitchell’s early hits was the song “Big Yellow Taxi,” which includes the stanza: “They took all the trees and put ‘em in a tree museum. Then they charged the people a dollar-and-a-half just to see ‘em. Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone?”

While it hasn’t gotten to that point yet, trees in our country are disappearing at an alarming rate – 10% since 2010, according to data compiled by the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association. Wildfires, invasive species, unmanaged recreational use, deforestation, urban development and climate change have all played a role in the loss of 237 million trees in the U.S. over that time period.

Trees aren’t museum pieces yet, but they do need all the friends they can get.

During Wednesday’s work session, the Columbus city council heard from former Dispatch publisher and current member of the city’s tree board, Birney Imes. Imes asked the council to apply for a grant that would be used to plant trees at city parks where trees have been lost to storms or disease.

He also asked for support for equipping the Riverwalk as an arboretum, an idea that he said could also be funded privately if the city doesn’t want to join the effort. Imes estimated the cost of that project to be $500 to $1,000.

Given the alarming rate of tree disappearance, initiatives like the proposed tree planting and Riverwalk arboretum are more vital than ever.

The idea of an arboretum is hardly new. Egyptian pharaohs planted exotic trees and cared for them, collecting ebony wood from Sudan and pine and cedar from Syria. Marco Polo described how Kublai Khan collected specimens of evergreen trees that he admired from around the Mongol Empire. The cedars of Lebanon were valued in the Israel of biblical times and mentioned frequently in scripture.

Through the generations, people have understood the value of trees and the need for preservation.

An arboretum is a garden of trees and other woody plants. Typically, species are labeled and include informational signs to allow visitors to learn as much as possible about a wide variety of trees.

The Riverwalk is a natural choice for an arboretum. It enhances what has already been a great public space in the city and introduces an interactive element for people strolling along. An arboretum is a great place to educate people on how to best use plants in their own landscapes. They are important in conservation efforts to save endangered trees and the wildlife that depend on them and offer a place where trees can grow to their full and natural form. Scientists use them as sites for scientific and educational studies.

Trees are fascinating in function, variety and appearance. They are used for construction, food, tools and medicines, not to mention oxygen supply. There are an estimated 73,000 varieties of trees, and new species are still being discovered today. Trees range in size from the dwarf arctic willow (2-3 inches) to the majestic coast redwood (the tallest measuring 380 feet).

Perhaps the most important thing about outfitting the Riverwalk is that it will foster an appreciation of something that is all too easy to take for granted. When we see a thing’s worth, we are more inclined to enjoy and preserve it.

That’s what arboretums do for us and why we think the council should give its blessing to applying for this grant.

After all, don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone?

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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