With the rise of Emerald Ash Borer and many other damaging tree diseases and insects, it’s important to know why it’s so important to take care of the trees on our property. Residents in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Des Moines, and the Quad Cities may face problems with their trees and wonder if they should hire a company to treat them or have them removed.
Of course, trees that are beyond repair need to be removed so that they do not infect other trees around them. However, if you catch tree care problems soon enough, may trees can be treated and restored to health.
Check out these 11 benefits that trees provide to your landscape:
1. Trees help prevent soil erosion
On hillsides or stream slopes, trees slow runoff and hold soil in place. The trees have roots which bind the soil and prevents it from easily being carried away be wind or water. The roots of the trees also absorb the water from the soil, thereby preventing floods!
2. Trees clean the air
Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) . They also filter particles out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark. Trees absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) and their leaves can trap the toxic pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone, and harmful microscopic particles produced by diesel vehicles, cooking and wood burning.
3. Trees provide oxygen
In one year, an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people. Trees produce oxygen and store carbon dioxide day after day and year after year. As a tree grows it removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it as wood fiber. It then converts that carbon dioxide into clean water and oxygen and releases it back into the atmosphere.
4. Trees increase property values
Several surveys have show, that mature trees in a well-landscaped yard can increase the value of a house by 7-19%. Well-landscaped yards with mature trees and bushes that provide privacy not only fetch higher prices, but they sell more quickly than houses with little or no landscaping. They provide a pleasing “curb appeal” by impressing buyers before they even walk into a house.
5. Trees cool the streets and the city
Due to the rise in Emerald Ash Borer and other tree insects and diseases in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, Waterloo, and the Quad Cities, tree coverage has declined and the number of heat-absorbing roads and buildings has increased. Trees cool down the city by up to 10°F, by shading our homes and streets.
6. Trees conserve energy
Trees provide shade in hot weather (which reduces use of air conditioning) and a wind barrier in cold weather (reducing the need for heating). Three trees placed strategically around a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50%. By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power plants.
7. Trees save water
Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. Most newly planted trees need only fifteen gallons of water a week. As trees give off water vapor through their leaves, they increase atmospheric moisture.
8. Trees help prevent water pollution
Trees reduce runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth below the tree. This prevents storm water from carrying pollutants to the ocean. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater supplies.
9. Trees shield children from harmful UV rays
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50%, thus providing protection to children on school campuses and playgrounds – where children spend hours outdoors.
10. Trees provide food
An apple tree can yield up to 15-20 bushels of fruit per year and can be planted on the tiniest urban lot. Aside from fruit for humans, trees provide food for birds and wildlife.
11. Trees block unsightly surroundings & provide privacy
Trees can mask concrete walls or parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound from nearby streets and freeways, providing privacy to your property and creating an eye-soothing canopy of green. Trees absorb dust and wind and also reduce glare.
At Lawn-Tek, we are here to help with your tree care needs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Des Moines, Waterloo, Quad Cities and the surrounding areas. Give us a call today for help diagnosing your tree problems and to find helpful ways to treat diseases and insects.
