Under the Solano Sun on a cloudless day in June, it's hot. While I was crossing Santa Clara Street in front of city hall I was thankful that trees covered the street and provided a wonderful cool shade. I remember many years ago walking into a redwood grove the temperature dropped considerably as I walked among those giants. Walking in the shade got me thinking about the benefits of trees that we often take for granted.
Well placed trees on your property can provide shade on a hot day. Trees planted on the south side of your house can reduce the amount of direct sunlight thus reducing the temperature in the house. You can reduce up to 50 percent of your air conditioning costs with trees strategically placed next to your house. A tree next to your deck can provide respite for you on a hot sunny day.
Another benefit of trees is that they can also provide fruit. Under the Solano sun, we can grow a variety of fruit trees: apples, apricots, figs, peaches, persimmons, plums the list goes on. I benefit from a 20' lemon tree someone planted many years ago. This year I've harvested 25lbs of lemons or more. Thank you for an unknown person who planted the lemon tree many years ago.
Trees also improve air quality by removing particulate pollutants. A London study on trees noted that in a 10 x 10-kilometer area with 25 % of tree cover, trees could remove 90 tons of particulate matter annually. Trees remove air pollution primarily by uptake of pollutants via leaf stomata (pores on the outer “skin” layers of the leaf). Some gaseous pollutants are also removed via the plant surface.
Trees also provide homes for wildlife. What would a world be like without songbirds nesting on tree branches? Squirrels hide their acorns and other food in tree cavities. Trees in urban areas can provide valuable rest stops for migratory birds.
Trees can reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is taken in by the trees during the process of photosynthesis. Some carbon is lost back into the atmosphere through respiration the rest is stored in the leaves, branches, and roots of the trees. Fight climate change plant a tree.
Trees can increase the property value of your home. Mature trees can increase property value by 20 percent according to the US Forest Service.
I want to thank whoever planted those trees along Santa Clara street in Vallejo. A mature tree takes about 20 years to grow. As the saying goes the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago the next best time is today. Trees what's not to like: fresh air, cooling, carbon sequestration, and an increase in property values. Plant a tree today it's the second best time to do it!