Everyone enjoys the lush, healthy trees that beautify our cities and suburban surroundings. Trees benefit our environment in many other ways as well, and it’s simpler than you may think to take a local action that will make you part of a global solution.

You too can plant a tree.

The purpose of this guide is threefold:

Planting and maintaining a single tree may seem a small task, but it’s an action with considerable significance to the quality of the future.

Hard Working Trees

Trees perform an astonishing variety of valuable functions that benefit our environment:

Trees Conserve Energy Trees can lower air conditioning bills from 10 to 50 percent by shading a home from the summer sun. If you plant deciduous trees on the southeast, southwest or west side of your home, you can enjoy shade in the summer and sunshine during the winter. Trees can also reduce heating bills by buffering your home from the prevailing winter winds. To provide a windbreak, plant a double row of evergreens on the north or northwest side. They will redirect the wind upward and over your home.

Trees Reduce Pollution The leaves on trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, filter microscopic dust particles, and even remove some toxic pollutants. The leaves also capture a wide range of airborne chemical compounds produced by fuel combustion originating from industry, trucks and cars.

Trees Conserve Water A tree’s leafy canopy slows and filters rainfall. When rain reaches the ground more slowly, it has the greater chance of soaking in, rather than running off and forming floods. In addition, tree roots reduce runoff and erosion by holding soil in place. Also, the cooling shade of trees reduces the amount of water needed for lawns and shrubs, even during the hottest summer months.

Trees Provide Wildlife Habitat Trees provide shelter and food to birds, insect, small reptiles and mammals. All Oak trees produce acorns which many small animals eat. Flowering trees such as Redbuds attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Trees Increase Property Values Well-placed, high-quality trees can raise property values by as much as 20 percent. During new construction, remodeling or other major projects, remember to protect your natural investment by fencing around your trees temporarily to prevent root or bark injuries and soil compaction.

Trees Beautify Urban Environments Trees provide visual interest to neighbors and business districts alike with their vibrant colors, attractive shapes, fragrances, flowers and interesting wildlife residents.

Tree Guide Sponsors:

• Urban Forestry Public Outreach Grant - Texas Forest Service in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the Texas Urban Forestry Council, Inc
• City of Plano, Parks and Recreation Department
• Trinity Blacklands Urban Forestry Council
• Preservation Tree Services, Inc.
• Arborilogical Services, Inc.

Certified Arborists

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• Garrett, Howard J. Plants of the Metroplex III. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas, 1994.
• Lipkis, Andy, The Simple Act of Planting a Tree: a Citizen Foresters Guide To Healing Your Neighborhood, Your City, and Your World / Tree People With Andy and Katie Lipkis. Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc. Los Angeles, CA., 1990
• Moll, Gary and Young, Stanley. Growing Greener Cities: A Tree Planting Handbook, Global Re-Leaf. American Forestry Association and Living Planet Press, Los Angeles, CA., 1992
• Petit, Jack. Building Greener Neighborhoods: Trees as Part of the Plan / Jack Petit (American Forests), Debra L. Bassert (National Association of Home Builders), Cheryl Kollin (American Forests). American Forests and Home Builder Press of the National Association of Home Builders of the United States of America, Washington, DC, 1995.
• Simpson, Benny J. A Field Guide to Texas Trees. Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, Texas, 1988.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Cooling Our Communities; A Guide Book on Tree Planting and Light-Colored Surfacing. Office of Policy Analysis, Climate Change Division, January, 1992.
• Vines, Robert A. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas, 1982.
• Wasowski, Sally and Wasowski, Andy. Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region. Gulf Publishing, Houston, Texas, 1991.
• Wasowski, Sally with Wasowski, Andy. Requiem for a Lawnmower. Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, Texas, 1992.