This Arbor Day, do plant a tree. Trees clean the air. They provide shade. They are beautiful.
Photo credit: trestletech from morguefile.com
Trees, one of nature’s most wonderful gifts, clean the air, increase property values and support wildlife. They also provide shade that keeps people and homes cool and minimizes the harmful effects of UV rays on skin.
That’s right — trees actually act as nature’s sunscreen.
According to The American Cancer Society (ACS), trees are equally important as hats and sunglasses when it comes to providing protection from strong and dangerous UV rays. In fact, the ACS and The Shade Foundation agree shade from trees provides both an effective and aesthetically appealing defense against the sun.
And with skin cancer on the rise, it’s important to learn how to keep trees healthy, so they can keep us healthy, too.
5 Steps to Keep Trees Healthy
- Look up. Inspect trees and shrubs from the bottom up. Check for brittle or dead branches, soft or decaying wood, small holes in the trunk or shallow pits in the bark.
- Feed Well. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to keep trees growing strong. This replaces nutrients and protects trees from disease, insects and stressful weather.
- Hydrate. Water trees to keep them well-hydrated throughout the year. A watering method that quenches roots is ideal for all trees and shrubs, especially those suffering from drought stress.
- Make good choices. Plant the right tree in the right place to maximize both the tree’s lifespan and the landscape’s economic rewards.
- Schedule regular check-ups. Schedule a check-up with a certified arborist to ensure the best care for trees. An arborist will spot hazards, explain potential concerns, provide expert advice and may find something a homeowner missed.
Plant a Tree for Arbor Day
Choose one that will provide the best shade. Deciduous trees with large spreads of dense foliage add sun protection and provide better coverage during intensely sunny summer months. Plant a new tree on the east, west or northwest side of the home to offer shade from summer sun and reduce air conditioning costs by up to 35 percent.
Photo credit: OgleEye from morguefile.com
Don’t underestimate the value of trees and plants. Plant trees in the right place, and provide proper tree care and landscape maintenance this spring and beyond to enjoy the benefits for years to come.
This post provided by Davey Tree Expert. It is reprinted with permission.
Photos courtesy of Morguefile.com and credited to the specific photographers.
The Davey Tree Expert Company’s more than 8,600 employees provide tree care, grounds maintenance and environmental consulting services for the residential, utility, commercial and government markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Davey has provided Proven Solutions for a Growing World since 1880 and has been employee-owned for more than 35 years. For more information, visit www.davey.com.
When I was a kid I wanted to live in a home that had a lot of big trees. I was able to just recently get a home that has just that, but I am a little worried about the state of the trees. They look like they might be decaying on the inside and I didn’t know what to do about it. So, I like that you talked about calling in a professional service to check and see if everything is okay with the tree. I think I might do that just so I know if I need to remove some of the trees before they fall over.