Yes Indeed, Trees are Good

I've been thinking about our Morrison Ranch celebration of Arbor Day - coming up this Saturday from 9 to 11 am south of the south lake at Highland Groves - and as I was reminding myself of the benefits of trees, I found a website called "Trees Are Good." It's done by the International Society of Arboriculture, and it has a plethora of topics about trees. Here are some pertinent quotes:

We like trees around us because they make life more pleasant. Most of us respond to the presence of trees beyond simply observing their beauty. We feel serene, peaceful, restful, and tranquil in a grove of trees. We are “at home” there. Hospital patients have been shown to recover from surgery more quickly when their hospital room offered a view of trees. The strong ties between people and trees are most evident in the resistance of community residents to removing trees to widen streets. Or we note the heroic efforts of individuals and organizations to save particularly large or historic trees in a community.

The stature, strength, and endurance of trees give them a cathedral-like quality. Because of their potential for long life, trees frequently are planted as living memorials. We often become personally attached to trees that we or those we love have planted.

I can attest to that personal attachment; sometimes The Mister even gets attached to trees that haven't yet been planted. You should see him in a meeting with engineers and planners who want to delete trees from a plan to make way for light poles or something.

The environmental benefits of trees are well-documented, yet not proclaimed quite as publicly as light bulbs or hybrid cars:

Air quality can be improved through the use of trees, shrubs, and turf. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates. Rain then washes the pollutants to the ground. Leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air to form carbohydrates that are used in the plant’s structure and function. In this process, leaves also absorb other air pollutants—such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide—and give off oxygen.

By planting trees and shrubs, we return to a more natural, less artificial environment. Birds and other wildlife are attracted to the area. The natural cycles of plant growth, reproduction, and decomposition are again present, both above and below ground. Natural harmony is restored to the urban environment.

I have three words: shade, shade, and shade.

There are economic benefits as well, such as lower air conditioning bills for Arizona residents.

If you want to come and help us laud the benefits of trees, please join us Saturday morning. If you want some extra help with understanding your watering system controllers, show up at 8 am for a free lesson from Rainbird on residential watering. Your spouse can bring the kids along at 9 to enjoy the bouncy toy, clowns, petting zoo and pony rides, and watch a tree seedling get transplanted.

The newspaper is forecasting 97 degrees for later in the day on Saturday; that's about the time that we can say together, "trees are good."