Trees touch all aspects of our lives – everything from our health to the health of our economy and the environment. Their value extends from financially measurable benefits such as energy and healthcare savings to intangible but crucial benefits such as beauty and comfort.
It is well known that trees provide a myriad of environmental benefits including the production of oxygen, cooling the atmosphere, filtering toxins and providing a nice place to sit under and have a picnic. Sixty percent of the trees in the city grow on private property, so the health of the urban forest depend on all of us.
Here are 5 reasons why we need to take action and protect our trees:
- Trees help reduce smog and air pollution – every tree we plant is a filter that cleans the air of pollutants such as carbon monoxide
- Trees are good for our health- every tree we plant is a shady umbrella that helps to keep harmful UV rays of the sun from reaching our skin and reduce levels of stress
- Trees increase property values – trees add to the economic value of our homes and make them more attractive on the real-estate market
- Trees reduce the amount of energy used in our homes – every tree we plant in strategic locations around our properties shade our homes in the summer and protect our homes from winter winds
- Trees provide wildlife habitat – trees we plant provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies and insects
We are very fortunate in Southern Ontario to have a wide variety of tree species that will thrive in our climate. From coniferous to deciduous to canopy trees to fruit trees. Whatever the size of your yard, there are trees just right for you. Stay tuned for more blog posts on Tree Selection and the Steps to Planting a Tree.
