The state of Maryland, where I live, has embarked on an ambitious 2-year program to plant one million trees by 2011. In conjunction with this, a program was instituted earlier this year to encourage state residents to plant more trees by offering a $25 rebate for each tree planted from an extensive list of native trees. The goal is to get private citizens to plant 50,000 trees by 2010. The name of this program is Marylanders Plant Trees, not a very catchy name I know, but the idea is a good one.
As noted on the program website, http://www.trees.maryland.gov/, “forests are our most strategically important natural resource. Trees protect water quality, clean our air and provide wildlife habitat. One large tree can eliminate 5,000 gallons of stormwater runoff each year, and well placed trees can help reduce energy costs by 15 to 35 percent. Trees also enhance our quality of life, beautifying neighborhoods and highways, providing sound barriers and shade, and helping increase property values.”
In these days when so many people are concerned about climate change and looking for ways to offset their carbon footprint, increasing this country’s tree canopy can play a major role in this goal.
We all contribute to global warming when we do things like heat and cool our homes, drive our cars, and fly on airplanes. The good news is that there are many things each of us as individuals, can do to reduce our carbon emissions. The choices we make in our homes, our travel, the food we eat, and what we buy and throw away all influence our carbon footprint and can help ensure a stable climate for future generations.
Trees are "carbon sinks." They absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it as their energy source, producing oxygen for us to breathe. Reforestation is the most cost-effective means of offsetting carbon emissions. A tree can remove and store up to 7,000 pounds of carbon over its lifetime. A tree that shades a house can reduce the energy required to run the air conditioner and save an additional 200 to 2,000 pounds of carbon over its lifetime.
According to the USDA Forest Service, "Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% and can save 20-50% in energy used for heating."
Did you know:
- You'll save money if your air conditioner draws air from a cool, shaded area? One large shade tree can reduce the surrounding air temperature by as much as 9° F. Plant a tree to shade the area around and over your air conditioner, but be sure to keep the air intake area clear of branches.
- More home energy is lost from windows than walls? Locate your trees to specifically shade windows. Plant a tree east or southeast of east-facing windows; south, southeast or southwest of south-facing windows; or west or southwest of west-facing windows.
- Trees can also save energy in cold weather? Planting a windbreak will lower the wind chill near your home, which can greatly lower heating costs. A windbreak is a single row or multiple rows of dense evergreen trees planted on the north and northwest side of your house (or the side with prevailing winter winds). The windbreak should be longer than the area to be protected. Extend the windbreak to the east side of the house, if space permits.
"A well-designed landscape not only adds beauty to your home, it reduces your heating and cooling costs. On average, landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings to return an initial investment in less than 8 years." - US Dept Energy
Do you have space in your yard to plant a tree or two or three? Encourage your state legislation to institute a program like the one we have here in Maryland. The positive results from planting trees will benefit our neighborhoods, our states, our country and our world. This is the perfect time of year so get out there and get planting!
Cheryl lives with her husband and their three cats in a 100-year-old house in the beautiful state of Maryland. She has a degree in horticulture from the University of Maryland and has been the manager of Stadler Nurseries in Maryland and Virginia for over 20 years. Become a fan of Stadler Nurseries on Facebook to find out what's going on in the garden world!
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2 comments:
That is THE prettiest image! Is it a drawing of a real house, or is it an architect's rendering of a design?
This article makes me feel better about deciding not to cut down the ferocious palo brea in front, despite the fact that its fiercely thorny branches, which overhang the sidewalk, threaten to gouge out the eyes of passing neighbors. I wanted to take it out, but my son insisted it had to stay.
I am catching up on your blog- I have been sooooo busy the past few months, but I see that you still have the same great writing style and thoughtful guest writers. Thanks!
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