As with so many of our actions, planting street trees in Petaluma will have some unintended consequences, some good, some not so much.

Fallen leaves create pretty designs on the ground and are fun to kick through.

The combination of rain and fallen leaves creates intricate patterns on the sidewalk.

Fallen leaves coat sidewalks, making the walk slippery.

Piles of leaves have to be moved to the street. The first time I saw this man, he was sweeping the leaves. The next time I saw him, he was using a blower!

As leaves wash down the gutter, they congregate at storm drains, forming mini-dams at the drain opening; not good for drainage.

Words can also have unintended consequences.

No one wants anyone to get hurt but people died and others got hurt. It’s time for politicians on both sides to voluntarily tone down their rhetoric.