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Hernando Today

Trees Are The Lungs Of The Earth

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: March 23, 2009

Updated: 03/23/2009 10:07 am

BROOKSVILLE - Mark Counihan tried it once, but it reaped no benefits.
He recently rejoined the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. He not only has a newfound local focus for his tree farming business, he also wants to make a difference.
He wants trees to make a comeback. After all, he famously refers to them as the "lungs of the earth."
Counihan is the owner and founder of Greenline Company. He recalled a time when a new Kmart was built in Brooksville.
"Within seven years, they tore down the Kmart," he said. "They took all the landscaping out and put new landscaping back in."
He isn't interested in stepping in front of a moving train. He knows development will continue in Hernando County. He just wants to make sure people understand the benefits of trees. They don't all have to be uprooted.
Counihan pointed to a row of oak trees on his rural property along Gold Hill Road.
"Those trees are about 150 years old," said the Ireland-born farmer.
He zeroed in on one in particular – one that provides a lot of shade to his office building.
"That's a tree we can enjoy," he said, "but someone needs to plant that tree."
An average lot has 75 to 100 trees, he said. The soil near a patch of woods is dark and moist.
Remove a patch of trees and leave the ground in direct contact with the sun's rays, and over time the area it will be dry, dusty and devoid of nutrients.
A sprawling "tree canopy" across Hernando County would go a long way toward solving the area's water shortage, he said. A large tree uses and produces endless gallons of water.
"It's constantly pumping out moisture," Counihan said. "If you cut all the canopy away, you reduce rainfall."
He referred to the construction of the Wal-Mart in Brooksville, near the corner of State Road 50 and U.S. 41. That is an example of doing it the right way, he said.
There are still a lot of trees in that area. Enough has been cleared for people to see the store from the road and enough trees remain to help the environment, he said.
Counihan's farm includes oaks, sycamores, magnolias, queen palms, elms, crape myrtles and more. There are more than 27,000 trees in his nursery.
He opened the business 10 years ago and ships the trees up and down the Southeast and as far west as Texas.
Each load costs anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000.
Local developers and residential property owners also can shop at the Greenline nursery.
Before long, perhaps as early as next year, Counihan intends to use all-organic methods to growing his trees. He already has begun working alongside Green World Path, a local organic farming consulting company.
Members of the chamber arrived at Counihan's farm Thursday afternoon for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. They welcomed him back after a long hiatus. They asked him why he rejoined after so many years.
"The first time I left, there was no value," he said. "Now, I see the value."
He referred to the millions of dollars of revenue Macon, Ga., generates each year from the scads of annual visitors who want to see the acres upon acres of cherry blossoms.
Counihan wants Hernando County rake in similar numbers. He sees the potential it has. The 40-mile area from Ridge Manor to Aripeka could be converted into a cathedral of oaks and maples.
"We could be the largest canopy county in the country," he said.

Biz at a glance:
Name of biz – Greenline Co.
Owner – Mark Counihan
What it is – Tree farm
Where it is – 2299 Gold Hill Road, Brooksville
Get in touch – 352-797-0540
On the Web – www.agreenlinecompany.com

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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