How smart tree planning and planting helps neighborhoods.
“The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources of the earth.”
– Frank Lloyd Wright
One of the world’s best known architects and visionaries recognized long ago what modern studies now prove: trees greatly increase the appeal of any property – from new subdivisions to commercial centers, from offices to your own backyard.
Research shows that trees stimulate economic development. They help attract new business – even tourism. Retail areas with trees are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and land that is wooded is more valuable. Real estate appraisals of comparable houses with and without trees place a markedly higher value on those with yards sheltered by trees.
There’s little doubt that trees add beauty and visual excitement to urban and suburban settings. These areas would be harsh with square-edged structures and hard, paved surfaces without the softening presence of trees. Trees also enhance architectural designs, provide privacy and frame views. Varying textures and colors of foliage, flowers, bark and fruit create multiple seasons of interest.
Yet smart tree planning and planting does much more than beautify an area. It also serves many practical purposes.
For example, many people love the airy, open feeling lots of natural lighting gives interior spaces. But, if you’re designing/building homes and offices, glare on TV or computer screens is a worry. Go ahead and put in plenty of skylights and windows! Planting trees of correct mature size, shape and density in the proper places can help make unwanted reflections a non-issue.
A good part of smart planning also means being knowledgeable about tree growth rates, strength, brittleness, and root systems so when foundations, sidewalks, driveways, sewers, gas, water and power lines are installed there won’t be problems later on. It’s important to realize that the framework of major roots usually lies less than eight to 12 inches below the surface. And that roots often grow outward to a diameter one to two times the height of the trees. Luckily, most modern sewers involve cemented pipe that greatly reduces tree roots getting into and clogging sewers.
Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Information
The Village of Lockland has formally proclaimed the week of May 22 through May 28, 2011 as “Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week” to raise public awareness about Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an ash tree- killing insect, and the collective efforts underway to slow its spread.
The proclamation highlights the importance of the continued cooperation and support of citizens, tourists, communities, governments, and industry partners necessary for slowing the spread of the pest to protect the nation’s billions of ash trees, all of which are at risk if the insect is not stopped.
During Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week and throughout the entire year, residents are urged to learn more about EAB and adhere to state and federal quarantines that ban the movement of ash trees, ash materials, and all non-coniferous firewood from Ohio’s quarantined areas.
EAB is an exotic, invasive insect that attacks and kills native ash trees. The pest was discovered in Ohio in 2003. Adult insects are a half inch in length, metallic green and fly from May to September. The larvae live under the bark and are creamy white, segmented and an inch in length. Notable EAB signs are one-eighth inch, D-shaped exit holes in the bark and serpentine tunnels packed with sawdust under the bark.
For more information about EAB and the state’s quarantined areas, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture, 1-888-OHIO-EAB.
