10 Reasons Why You Should Plant Trees

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1. Trees save energy and money. Just three trees strategically planted around your home can cut your air conditioning bill in half.

2. Trees save tax dollars. Trees in a city slow stormwater runoff and reduce the need for storm sewers. Tree shade also help cool municipal buildings, lowering electricity bills.

3. Trees cool our cities. Urban "heat islands" are directly related to massive tree-cutting for development.

4. Trees clean our water and air. From low level ozone in our cities to pesticide and fertiziler runoff from our farms, trees absorb harmful pollutants.

5. Trees help community life. Tree planting and community based forestry can add significantly to a local community's sustainable economy while restoring the environment.

6. Trees protect soil. By holding soil in place with their root systems, by deflecting pounding rain with their canopies, and by adding nutrients each fall with their leaves, trees are crucial to keeping and improving our soil.

7. Trees provide habitat for species of many kinds -- including endangered species. A key project of American Forests is "Trees for Tigers" in the Russian Far East that is restoring habitat for the endangered Siberian tiger.

8. Trees can pay your "carbon debt". Planting just 30 Global ReLeaf trees will absorb the amount of carbon dioxide that is generated in the production of energy for the average American lifestyle each year.

9. Trees provide clean water and natural flood control. Forests act as natural reservoirs, and they protect watersheds, providing clean water for cities, bays and rivers.

10. Trees are a beautiful part of our lives. From striking individual trees that are of historic significance or are simply large and majestic, to a grove of trees in a city park, trees enrich our lives by simply being there. Trees are not just a key to the natural ecosystem -- trees are an essential part of community life.

For more information, visit American Forests' web site: http://www.americanforests.org/
AMERICAN FORESTS | PO BOX 2000 | Washington, DC 20013 | (202) 737-1944


Congratulations to ACC's Community Forester, Connie Head, for winning the Georgia Urban Forest Council's Outstanding Individual Achievement Award for 2005. Since 1989, Ms. Head has worked with communities, tree boards, agencies, non-profit organizations, and individuals on projects involving tree inventories, tree management plans, educational programs, and contract community forest management. Her efforts have helped increase environmental literacy in forest biology and maintenance in Georgia and around the Southeast.

The Community Tree Council has a mission to create public enthusiasm about conserving Clarke County trees, to educate area citizens about trees, to promote awareness of the environmental benefits that trees provide, and to foster sentiments of respect for the beauty and historical significance that trees posses. They have a special web site you should see at www.athenstrees.com.

Tree Conservation Notes on "Trees & Water Quality" is now available online at the ACC web site, along with archived versions. Click here!

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