| Catalog |
|
|
| |
| Manufacturers |
- select manufacturer -
John Deere
Kubota
Stihl
Bluebird
Yamaha
Rears Mfg Co
W Perfect
Bobcat (Rentals Only)
BlueLine
Agri-Fab
Goldoni
Turbo-Mist
Massey Ferguson
NONE
|
| |
| Quick Find |
Use keywords to find the product you are looking for.
Advanced Search |
| |
| Contact Information |
Toll-Free: (800) 461-5539
Phone: (509) 886-1566
Fax: (509) 884-5464
Address:
Mail:
PO Box 75
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Physical:
4857 Contractors Drive
E. Wenatchee, WA 98802
More Contact Information
Questions / Feedback Form |
|
 |
The Benefits of Trees in Landscaping
Most trees and shrubs in cities or communities are planted to provide beauty
or shade. These are two excellent reasons for their use. Woody plants
also serve many other purposes, and it often is helpful to consider these other
functions when selecting a tree or shrub for the landscape. The benefits of trees
can be grouped into social, community, environmental and economic categories.
Social Benefits
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 of 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 the potential for long life, trees are frequently planted as living memorials.
We often become personally attached to trees that we or those we love have planted.
Community Benefits
Even though trees may be private property, their size often makes them part of the
community as well. Since trees occupy considerable space, planning is required if
both you and your neighbors are to benefit. With proper selection and maintenance,
trees can enhance and function on one property without infringing upon the rights
and privileges of neighbors. City trees often serve several architectural and engineering
functions. They provide privacy, emphasize views or screen out objectionable views.
They reduce glare and reflection. They direct pedestrian traffic. They provide backgrounds,
or soften, complement or enhance architecture. Trees bring natural elements
and wildlife habitats into urban surroundings; all of which increase the quality
of life for residents of the community.
Environmental Benefits
Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air
quality, conserving water and harboring wildlife. Climate control is obtained by
moderating the effects of sun, wind, and rain. Radiant energy from the sun is absorbed
or deflected by leaves on deciduous trees in the summer and is only filtered by
branches of deciduous trees in winter. We are cooler when we stand in the shade
of trees and are not exposed to direct sunlight. In winter, we value the sun's radiant
energy; and because of this, we should plant only small or deciduous trees on the
south side of homes. Wind speed and direction can be affected by trees. The more
compact the foliage on the tree or group of trees, the greater the influence of
the windbreak. The downward fall of rain, sleet and hail is initially absorbed or
deflected by trees and this provides some protection for people, pets and buildings.
Trees intercept water, store some of it, reduce storm run-off and the possibility
of flooding. Dew and frost are less common under trees because less radiant energy
is released from the soil in those areas at night.
Temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The larger
the tree, the greater the cooling. By using trees in the cities, we are able to
moderate the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings in commercial areas.
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 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, and 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.
Economic Benefits
Property values of landscaped homes are 5-20% higher than those of non-landscaped
homes. Individual trees and shrubs have value, but the variability
of species, size, condition and function makes determining their economic value
quite difficult. The economic benefits of trees can be both direct and indirect.
Direct economic benefits are usually associated with energy costs. Air conditioning
costs are lower in a tree-shaded home. Heating costs are reduced when a home has
a windbreak. Trees increase in value from the time they are planted until they mature.
Trees are a wise investment of funds since landscaped homes are more valuable than
non-landscaped homes. The savings in energy costs and the increase in property value
directly benefit each homeowner. The indirect economic benefits of trees are even
greater. These are available to the community or region. Lowered electricity bills
are paid by customers when power companies are able to use less water in their cooling
towers, build fewer new facilities to meet peak demands, use reduced amounts of
fossil fuel in their furnaces and need fewer measures to control air pollution.
Communities can also save if fewer facilities must be built to control storm water
in the region. To the individual these savings are small, but to the community,
reductions in these expenses are often in the thousands of dollars.
Trees Require an Investment
Trees provide numerous aesthetic
and economic benefits but also incur some costs. You need to be aware that an investment
is required for your trees to provide the benefits that you desire. The biggest
cost of trees and shrubs occurs when they are purchased and planted. Initial care
almost always includes some watering. Leaf, branch and whole tree removal and disposal
can be expensive.
To function well in the landscape, trees require maintenance. Much can be done by
the informed homeowner. Corrective pruning and mulching will give trees a good start.
Shade trees, however, quickly grow to a size that may require the services of a
professional arborist. Arborists have the knowledge and equipment needed to prune,
spray, fertilize and otherwise maintain a large tree. Your garden center owner,
cooperative extension agent, community forester or consulting arborist can answer
questions about tree maintenance, suggest treatments or recommend qualified arborists.
The PHC Alternative
Maintaining mature landscapes is a complicated undertaking. You may wish to consider
a professional Plant Health Care (PHC) maintenance program which is now available
from many landscape care companies. Their program is designed to maintain plant
vigor and should initially include inspections to detect and treat any existing
problems which could be damaging or fatal. Thereafter, regular inspections and preventive
maintenance will ensure plant health and beauty. Refer to our Plant Health Care
brochure for more information.
‹ Back to Helpful Hints
|