Plant a Tree and Enjoy the Benefits
Dollar bills will never be dangling from the tree in your front yard or along the road, so why should we plant trees in our yards, around our communities and even along our roads? The reality is that trees pay us back in many ways. According to the USDA Forest Service, for every $1 spent on a tree a $3 return is realized. How is this possible?
Trees store carbon dioxide (CO2), a primary greenhouse gas resulting in climate change. Trees also release life sustaining oxygen. Two medium sized red oak trees can sequester 500 pounds of CO2 annually and provide enough oxygen for a single person to live for more than a year.
Trees reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and pollutant loading to our water bodies by intercepting and infiltrating precipitation. One medium sized red oak tree has the ability to intercept up to 1,200 gallons of precipitation annually. Tree roots hold the soil in place and prevent erosion. This makes trees a great tool for protecting our lakes, streams and rivers.
Strategically planted trees around your home can save you money in two significant ways. First, trees can greatly reduce your energy bill by shading your home in the summer and protecting your home from the wind in the winter. Also, healthy mature trees add an average of 10 percent to the value of your property, according to the USDA Forest Service.
Although dollar bills do not grow on trees, the environmental and economic benefits of trees are real. When you plant trees strategically to capture stormwater and protect your home, the benefits will only keep growing. Be a tree planter and enjoy the rewards.