When it comes to canopies, they are expected at many events in our lives. If you are at any kind of outdoor party, farmer’s market, store opening, etc. you can expect to see at least a few canopies scattered around, protecting people, products and the like from weather conditions. In fact, even weddings sometimes use outdoor canopies for reception areas when the event is held outdoors. This shields nicely-dressed people from being windswept or sunburned in uncovered areas. As I mentioned last week, there is a growing discussion about the use of tree canopies as protection in public areas.

On the other hand, more people are using these natural formations to cover their entire backyard areas, so that sunlight doesn’t become pervasive. One man from West Palm Beach – in Florida – has turned his backyard into a rainforest of sorts, according to a report from WPEC 12:

“ Forty years ago [Gene] Joyner’s 2.5 acre lot was all sand punctuated by two pine trees.  But Joyner, a botanist, and his wife had a dream. Over the last forty years Joyner headed the local cooperative extension service.  He wrote hundreds of scholarly articles and newspaper columnts…and in the meantime, over those four decades, the canopy trees Joyner and his wife had planted grew to be forty-feet tall.

Slowly, with care and patience, Joyner and his wife grew a luscious rain forest in their own backyard. Now Joyner happily gives tours of his property to anyone interested.  From agricultural experts to amateur photographers who flock there to see this man-made treasure: an amazing mini-ecosystem containing hundreds of tropical plant varieties and dozens of fruit.”

Now obviously, this kind of dedication to the planting of tree canopies isn’t for everyone. I personally prefer the type of canopy that I can put up and take down whenever I please. Canopy Hut, a leader in the sale of portable canopies, has a wide variety for every kind of covering need.