Incredibly, 4,000,000 disappear from urban communities every year. Though reasons vary, the emotional, economical and environmental effects of these losses on our neighborhoods, is equally shocking. You see, this statistic reflects the number of urban trees lost annually to old age, insects, disease and development. What you might not realize is just how these numbers impact you and your family, and the many vital reasons for trees.
- Trees cultivate a sense of peace.
- Trees foster safer, more sociable neighborhoods.
- Trees reduce stress responses of body and mind.
- Trees reduce levels of domestic violence.
- Trees increase property values by three to 10 percent.
- Hospital patients require less medication and recover faster when they are able to view trees.
- Employees working near trees miss fewer days of work.
- Shoppers spend 12 percent more for goods sold on tree-lined streets.
- Trees absorb high-frequency noise, the most distressing range for humans.
- Trees clean the air and water.
- Tree roots prevent soil erosion.
- Tree shade reduces air conditioning use.
- Winds are buffered by trees, which reduce heating costs.
David Nowak is a Forest Service researcher whose goal is to help community leaders and the public see the whole picture of the importance of trees. He points out the need for making better decisions and taking action today to ensure a better environment in the future.
“We tend to focus on cars and roads and development, but in the background is always nature that also affects people’s lives,” said Nowak.
Nowak has helped a number of cities complete urban forest surveys and assess the data using iTree, a web tool he helped to create (www.itreetools.org), that uses field data such as size, species and number of trees along with local air pollution and meteorological information to measure urban forest structure, environmental effects and the value to communities.
No longer just a rural commodity, a healthy tree population greatly benefits city dwellers, as Pittsburgh recently discovered. With iTree, the city was able to calculate that its trees provided a monetary benefit three times greater than the annual cost of upkeep, leading to the development of a master plan for expanding the city’s tree canopy. Investing in trees is a sound investment in the future of communities.
One 1854 pioneer in the Nebraska Territory was also a pioneer in promoting the benefits of planting trees. J. Sterling Morton, originally from Detroit, brought his love of growing things to his fellow Nebraskans through his articles and editorials in a highly regarded Nebraska newspaper. After becoming secretary of the Nebraska Territory, he continued to use the opportunities his position provided to stress the importance of trees as windbreaks, fuel, shade and building materials. His enthusiasm was contagious and in 1872, he persuaded the state Board of Agriculture to back his idea of a tree-planting holiday. On that first Arbor Day, more than one million trees were estimated to have been planted by those participating. During the 1870s, the holiday continued, changing the landscape of Nebraska and attracting the attention of other states. In 1882, the tradition of planting trees was adopted by schools nationwide.
Today, National Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April and no matter where you live, there’s a tree for that!
Warner’s Nursery & Landscape Company specializes in the selection, care and growth of trees specifically suited for Northern Arizona, so you can rest assured that money spent on a tree from Warner’s is money well spent. Warner’s is three generations strong in business and community service to the Flagstaff area, and our dedication to providing you expert gardening advice combined with products of the highest quality is unmatched.
Whatever your reason for trees, whether purely emotional, respectfully environmental or totally economical, part of the joy and satisfaction of planting a tree comes from watching your investment in natural beauty grow and change with the seasons over a lifetime. FBN
Misti Warner-Andersen is the manager of Warner’s Nursery & Landscape Co., located at 1101 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff. To contact Warner’s Nursery call 928-774-1983.