Be it on your next trail work outing, or even in your own backyard, planting a tree has tree-mendous (pun intended) benefits for all of us. Most small trees live at least 60 to 80 years; the Eastern Hemlock can live to be over one thousand. Below are just some of the benefits of tree planting.
Social- trees quiet our souls and restore civility to the harsh environs of our urban lifestyle
Environment- trees cool and clean the air. The combined chemistry of the thousands of leaves on each tree (assuming you don’t buy the Charlie Brown Christmas tree version) eliminates an enormous amount of pollution from the air. Leaves absorb pollution such as ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. After processing all of the chemicals, trees give off water and oxygen.
Edited 4-5-07
Arbor Day is this Saturday, April 7th, so celebrate by planting a tree!
It’s also the last day to order seedlings from any of the nine district forester’s offices for the state. Hardwood seedlings are only $15 per a bundle of 50, and only $80 for a bundle of 500.
I believe that this is the resource Bruce Montana (Hail to the Chief!) used when he planted hundreds of trees at Ft. Duffield.
Remember, by planting a tree that sheds it leaves at the end of the year (deciduous) you can shade your home during summer (thereby lowering your cooling costs), yet allow the full winter’s sun to help heat it (once again saving on your fuel bill).
Plant pine trees on the north side of your home to act as a buffer against winter winds, and save even more on your winter heating bills.
At Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, five trees will be given to each visitor during the 10am to 5pm Arbor Day celebration. Naturalist Becky Clark will also be teaching visitors about environmental stewardship and giving back to the environment.
Arbor Day was first held in Nebraska in 1872, and over one million trees were planted to act as wind breaks, and for shade, fuel and building materials.
In regards to cooling the air, as water vapor from the leaves evaporate it makes the surrounding air cooler. This explains why it feels fresh and cool under a tree on a hot day. A mature maple or oak can transpire over 80 gallons of moisture every 24 hrs. A great redwood transpires over 500 gallons every day! This moisture eventually turns into rain or dew.
I know that every time I race at Butler, there’s a couple of sections where you come out from under the tree canopy to cross what’s left of the old ski slopes, and during the middle of the summer, it feels as though you’ve entered Death Valley. Those short grassy sections, really take the life out of you.
In addition, trees help to muffle noise and improve soil conditions. They prevent soil erosion on hills and around waterways (preventing erosion is especially important for maintaining a good quality trail system).
Economic- trees also help to deflect the wind (wind-breaks). When these windbreaks are used around the home, they can decrease energy costs significantly.
In addition, having trees on your property can significantly increase its value (how many real estate listings have you seen describing the yard as “park-like setting w/mature trees”?).
For more information try visiting the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA-Arbor.com)
