Let’s see, the benefits of planting trees. Funny, my mind went right back to when I was a kid. My sister and I used to climb trees better than most monkeys in the zoo. Don’t know too many kids that get to do that anymore, but we certainly did. Hug out in those big trees all day. But let’s get past that.
So, what are some really good benefits for planting trees? “Trees please.” Think about it – trees please, and they really do. Trees clean the air, provide oxygen, cool the streets, cities and backyards, conserve energy, save water, help prevent soil erosion and water pollution, provide food, provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife, increase property values, make good visual and wind screens, add beauty and help improve our personal health, reduce noise pollution, modify local climates, make life more pleasant, provide wood, are an investment that grows every year, and yes, they’re fun to climb.
Trees really do please. So what do you say? Why not get out and plant a tree or two this spring? Or celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree or two or three. If anything, plant them for the future generations of tree climbers (like I was), so one day they can sit up in a tree and wonder who was responsible for planting their great place to ‘hang out’.
[Learn more about trees (shade/ornamental/native). Join The Yardboy and Liz Jacobs (Ms. Tree Geek) 6-7:30pm tonight at the Mason store, or 6-7:30pm tomorrow night at the Florence store for their tree workshop, “Trees Please”.]
Award Winning Trees – Each year the Society of Municipal Arborists chose an ‘Urban Tree of the Year’. For 2011, it’s Koelreuteria paniculata or commonly known as Golden Raintree. This flowering ornamental tree was first introduced into the U.S. back in 1763 (native in China, Japan and Korea). Medium growth rate, this tree grows 30’ high and wide, has doubly compound green leaves turning golden yellow in fall, yellow summer flowers held upright in pyramid shaped clusters 12-18 inches long, followed by small three sided papery lantern like fruit with small black seeds inside. When the wind blows, it sounds like rain. Adapts to many soil types, tolerates air pollution, drought, loves the sun, and has few pests or diseases. Great for street tree, small lawn tree, patio tree.
(Past winners include ‘Bur Oak’, ‘Heritage River Birch’, ‘Allee Lacebark Elm’, ‘Autumn Blaze Maple’, ‘Chanticleer’ Pear, ‘KY. Coffeetree’, ‘Bald Cypress’, ‘Black Tupelo’, ‘Chinkapin Oak’, and the 2010 winner, ‘Redbud’.
