Jim & Alice Costas Devote Retirement to Tulsa's Urban Forest.

One cold January morning, Jim Costas met up with his friend from Rotary, Sid Patterson, to plant some trees.

Little did they know the impact they would make on Tulsa’s urban forest for years to come.

With the ground solid as a rock, the two began digging along Harvard. Everytime Costas put the pick down and shoveled out the dirt, he often found himself asking: “What did I get myself into?” But for his friend’s sake, he kept going. They finished planting about 20 trees that day and when it was over, Costas looked down and saw the greatest sight he ever saw. That’s what sold him on it. It was beautiful. And that was the start of Up With Trees.

Fast forward forty years later and Costas is still planting trees. It’s the satisfaction he receives and from the people he works with. And when you work with a person like Sid Patterson, it became a pleasure. That’s what Costas enjoyed about it the most. The outdoors, planting trees, beautifying the City of Tulsa, and also working with a wonderful person like Sid.

Costas thinks Sid would be amazed at where Up With Trees is today. He and his wife, Alice, love looking out the window at the site by their house. They take pride in knowing that they planted those trees, so they are always seeing what condition they are in. From planting, pruning, and watering it becomes personal. And when it becomes personal, then you take more interest in it. And that’s why the Costas’ continuously want to be involved with Up With Trees because this is something that they’ve dedicated their retired life to and wants to make sure it continues on.

“Trees are important to us all, for they influence the quality of our lives, providing shade, habitat for wildlife, clean air to breathe, as well as beautifying our horizons. What an important legacy we leave by planting for the future.”–Jim & Alice Costas