Yesterday our local tree trimmer/remover1 came out to look at our old elm tree2 that was so badly damaged during the ice storm3. After carefully looking up at its high branches4, its solid big trunk5 etc., he had good news for us. He said he thought we needn’t have it removed after all. We had been afraid that a strong wind would make it fall either on our house or on the power lines6, but he said the trunk was still so strong that we really needn’t worry about it. We were delighted7! Knowing that he was coming and expecting8 to lose the tree, I had been thinking a lot about what kind of tree to plant to replace the old one. Should it be an oak9, the Iowa state tree10? Should it be another colorful maple11? Maybe both. No matter which, we definitely12 would plant at least one tree there. We love both the beauty and utility13 of trees.
This morning’s Des Moines paper14 provided us with some interesting news. We read that the Des Moines city zoo has invited Democratic and Republican presidential candidates15 to plant a “tree park16” at the zoo, made up of oak trees. The oak trees were purchased by the zoo and grown by students at one of the high schools. Each tree will have a plaque17 bearing18 the name of the candidate and the date it was planted. The project was announced to coincide19 with Earth Day20. At the present time the zoo is awaiting official responses21 from the candidates. I believe that many of us Iowans22 will be interested in knowing which candidates are willing23 to take the time away from politics24 to plant a tree and which candidates fail to do25 so. I certainly will not vote for a candidate who refuses to plant a tree. We’ll all know because the newspaper will keep us informed26.
Notes:
1. tree trimmer/remover: a person who earns a living by cutting down and removing trees, trimming branches, and cleaning up waste wood after the trimming (整枝和清理树木的工人).
2. elm tree: a large shade tree which was widely planted throughout the temperate areas of the U.S. (榆树，曾在美国温带地区大量种植，可以提供很大的树荫)
3. ice storm：引起严重冰冻的暴雨或冻雨
4. branches: 树枝
5. trunk: the main stem of the tree which supports the branches, etc. (树干).
6. power lines: wires carrying electricity which are mounted on tall posts (输电线).
7. delighted: very happy or joyful because of a given incident or some information (很高兴).
8. expecting: thinking something will happen (期盼、期待).
9. oak: a large shade tree which is part of the native forests of temperate regions around the world (橡树，是温带地区原始生长的树种，可以提供很大的树荫). Oak wood was used in construction, and in furniture where hard wood is preferred.
10. Iowa state tree: the official tree of the state of Iowa in the U.S. (美国爱荷华州的州树)
11. maple: a large shade tree found in the temperate regions of the world (枫树，生长于温带地区). Wood from the maple is often used for flooring or furniture.
12. definitely: certainly; without doubt (肯定，毫无疑问).
13. utility: usefulness of something or somebody (实用性).
14. Des Moines paper: the daily newspaper published in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. (德梅因日报)
15. Democratic and Republican presidential candidates: individuals of the two major political parties who are competing for the office of the president of the United States (美国两大政党民主党和共和党的总统候选人).
16. tree park: a plot of ground in which trees are placed to be enjoyed by the general public (植树的园地).
17. plaque (标示牌): a flat sign, usually of metal or other weather resistant material, with a commemorative description telling about the object on which it is placed.
18. bearing: having or carrying (有、记载着).
19. coincide: happen at the same time (同时发生).
20. Earth Day: a day in the spring set aside to show respect for and care of the Earth (地球日).
21. responses: answers to questions or actions (回音、回答).
22. Iowans: citizens of the state of Iowa in the U.S. (爱荷华州人)
23. willing: 愿意
24. politics：政治
25. fail to do something: leave something undone, or unaccomplished (没法做某事).
26. keep us informed: provide us with information