Landscaping: February 2008 Archives
Trees are the muscles of urban landscapes. They provide a wide array of benefits to individual homes, neighborhoods, and the city at large. A wide variety of trees -- from forests at the outskirts that absorb and filter pollutants -- to flowering dogwoods and climbing trees -- all add livability to urban living.
The hard working "tree" is even more important today, with our concerns about air quality and climate change. If you have room to plant a tree -- in a yard, on suburban or rural property, or even in a container on your deck -- you have the opportunity to contribute to the restoration of our natural forest-covered earth's natural air, water and soil system that is self-healing.
Trees reduce carbon dioxide in the air, thereby reducing the warming “greenhouse” effect of the gas, in two main ways. First, as they grow, they take carbon dioxide out of the air and transform it into roots, leaves, bark, flowers, and wood. Over the lifetime of a tree, several tons of carbon dioxide are taken up (McPherson and Simpson 1999). In fact, trees are the only known feasible way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Even if we were able to switch immediately to fuel sources that do not emit carbon dioxide, the current levels in the air are higher than at any time in the past 400,000 years, according to the UN’s International Panel on Climate Change, and because of the long “lifetime” of carbon dioxide, will remain so for decades or even centuries.
Second, by providing shade and transpiring water, trees lower air temperature and, therefore, cut energy use, which reduces the production of carbon dioxide at the power plant. Two-thirds of the electricity produced in the United States is created by burning a fuel (coal, oil, or natural gas) that produces carbon dioxide–on average, for every kilowatt hour of electricity created, about 1.39 lbs of carbon dioxide is released (eGRID 2002). It is certainly true, as Dr. Duffy states, that not emitting carbon dioxide in the first place is a good strategy. Lowering summertime temperatures by planting trees in cities is one way to reduce energy use and thereby reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
SOURCE: Eco Preservation Society
PROBLEM: Urban heat contributes to climate change and air pollution
SOLUTION: Plant and care for more trees -- and keep them healthy for longterm maturity. Mature trees provide more benefits than young trees.
If you know the name of a tree you want to consider and need more information, you can find great detailed information at your local university Extension Centers. But if you don't know tree names, you can use some of the online directories to help you select the right size, shape, color, seasonal cycles...and even the kind of seeds, nuts or fruit possible with your new mini-forest.
Trees are vital to urban livability. Trees provide shade to cool city hardscapes, they provide watershed replenishment by reducing stormwater runoff, and they provide habitat for local wildlife -- and children -- be they wild or not so wild. (Children benefit greatly by having a favorite climbing tree!)
The University of Illinois Extension provides a great directory of trees by SIZE, TOLERANCE, EXPOSURE, USE and PESTS at their website: Selecting Trees for Your Home: BY SIZE
PROBLEM: Improperly selected tree species is the greatest cause of early demise of mature trees.
SOLUTION: Select trees for their mature size and shape -- and then maintain them for longterm benefits of shade, water retention, air pollution filtration and higher property value!
Landscaping with Trees for Homes
Trees are the skeleton of the landscape. They are the gentle giants of our habitat. Trees are miniature habitats themselves -- they provide food, shelter, community centers and even water for a wide range of wildlife -- from butterflies, birds and caterpillars to skinks, toads, earthworms...and every four footed wild critter you can think of.Trees have a secret life that is just as valuable to our habitat as their crowns. Their root systems move water and nutrients from the air to animals to other plants and then to the soil and water table. Their fragile, slow growing roots break up hardpan soil and create aerable soil that will grow more fragile plants.
Can you tell, we love trees! We value their hard work in our environment and in this website we will help you select, nurture and appreciate the trees in your own yard and in your commnity.
Landscaping with Trees for Offices and Business Campuses
Indoor trees and atriums provide wonderful respite during busy days. There's something about green to make us relax! But indoor trees also filter our air and refresh it with new oxygen.Trees work as hard as we do! We'll help you select and care for your little forest in your workspaces -- whether they be indoor trees or outdoor natural urban forests. And maybe you're luck enough to work in a location that has an extensive parklike campus. We'll help you understand trees and their role in urban heat islands, water conservation and property value so you can tell their story and help your coworkers appreciate these gentle giants of the natural worls.
Tree and Forestry Product Categories
- Selecting Trees for Your Space and Use
- Types of Trees by Size and Shape
- How Trees Save Energy
- How Trees Preserve Water and the Water Table
- The Economic Impact of Trees
- The Beauty and Appreciation of Trees
SOLUTION: Mature trees through add filtration, water retention, shade for hot urban centers, soil replenishment, habitat for wildlife, as well as windbreaks for homes, shade to reduce utility usage, and adds to the livability and value of a building -- whether a home or commercial building. Trees work hard for us!
