Benefit of trees for the urban landscape
December 2, 2007
In our concrete and asphalt urban landscape, we need more trees.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, “Trees counteract global warming in multiple ways. A single tree can remove more than a ton of CO2 over its lifetime. Also, shade provided by trees reduces summer air conditioning needs.”
The benefit of a tree is amazing. One tree offers the same cooling as ten room size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. The US Forest Service estimates 50 million well placed shade trees have the potential of eliminating the need for seven 100-megawatt power plants.
Earlier this year, in celebration of Arbor Day 2007, the Home Depot Foundation partnered with the National Arbor Day Foundation in an educational campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of trees for the community combined with the goal of planting 1,000 trees in different cities across the nation.
The Home Depot Foundation makes a beautiful statement illustrating the importance of trees in our cities, “… the urban forest is one of the essential building blocks for healthy, livable communities impacting our social, environmental, economic and overall well-being. In addition, we strongly believe that the simple act of planting a tree has the power to be the catalyst for significant ecological improvements and profound community change.”
Depending on the nursery in your area, purchasing a tree can be expensive. The National Arbor Day Foundation offers ten free trees with a $10 dollar membership. The foundation guarantees the six-to-twelve inch trees shipped to you will grow, or you will be sent more trees. Fall shipments are scheduled between October 15 and December 10. Spring shipments are scheduled between February 1 and May 31.
Plant a tree. Add beauty to your community. Help save the planet.