I think that I
shall never see
A poem lovely
as a tree.
— Joyce Kilmer

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Trees are so important. Consider the following facts:

• Trees help to decrease home temperatures by up to 20 degrees during hot summer months, which can lower energy costs by 10 to 15 percent. They also decrease temperatures of streets and other paved surfaces. (1)


• Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife. (1)


• Trees produce important products such as lumber, paper, and fruit and nut crops like apples and pecans.


Plant a Tree



Plan a tree-planting event. Begin by picking out a location and researching trees that grow well in your area. Be sure to choose a tree whose size (height and width) along with light, water, and soil needs match the conditions at your site.

Next, obtain a healthy tree. Avoid trees with severe insect or disease damage. Make sure the trunk and branches look strong and evenly spaced. Also avoid trees with crowded root balls (trees can become container-bound and their roots will begin growing in a circular fashion, which will continue in the ground unless you correct the pattern).

Collect tools needed for planting (usually a shovel will do). Here are some basic planting instructions from www.garden.org:

How to Plant Bare-root Trees: Set bare-root trees atop a small mound of soil in the center of the planting hole, and spread the roots down and away without unduly bending them. Identify original planting depth by finding color change from dark to light as you move down the trunk towards the roots. If the tree is grafted, position the inside of the curve of the graft union away from the afternoon sun.

How to Plant Balled & Burlapped Trees: Handle the root-ball carefully so it doesn't break or crack. Lift the soil ball and position it in the center hole. Gently tamp to remove air pockets as you fill. Once stabilized with backfill, remove burlap. Continue backfilling and watering to settle the soil. Don't cover the top of the root-ball with backfill because it could prevent water from entering.

How to Plant Container Trees: Lift the plant out of container prior to setting the root-ball in the hole. Eliminate circling roots by laying the root-ball on its side and cutting through the roots with shears. Don't cover the top of the root-ball with backfill because it could prevent water from entering.

After planting, make sure to water your new tree well and adjust the soil level if necessary. Mulch around the base to help regulate soil moisture. Check soil moisture regularly to make sure the tree is not staying too dry or too wet - new trees are more sensitive to extreme conditions than mature ones. If your tree is leaning, you may need to stake it for extra support.
For more detailed directions on planting a tree read How to Buy and Plant Trees

• Trees can help block sound to help alleviate noise pollution. (1)


• Trees prevent erosion by decreasing the intensity of rainfall and stabilizing soil. They also help decrease water runoff and flooding. (1)


• Trees provide windbreaks. (1)


• Trees use carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Each year, a single mature tree absorbs up to 48 lbs of carbon dioxide and releases enough oxygen to support 2 humans. (2) They also filter air pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. (1)
  
• Studies show that hospital patients in rooms with views of treese recover faster. (2)


• Attractive landscape plants, including mature trees, can increase a home's value 5 to 20 percent. (1)

1. International Society of Arboriculture

2. Colorado Tree Coalition

Want to learn more about the power of plants? Check out What have Plants Done for you Lately?