Are Trees Valuable? By Mary Ann Miron, Waller County Master Gardener
Have you ever thought about how many ways trees benefit us? Aside from the obvious where trees clean the air by removing carbon dioxide and providing us with clean air and purifying water, they also provide shade, add beauty, and can be a wind block or privacy barrier. Numerous trees can also reduce noise, improve the land grade by controlling erosion and flooding while improving the soil with decomposition and decay. Trees provide food and shelter not only for us but for wildlife as well.
While building community in parks and areas where events are held, trees also reduce crime by showing that the area is monitored and cared for which promotes “eyes on the street”. Some trees become nature’s gym, providing areas for us to climb, swing, sit, etc. Being outside in general reduces stress, but sitting under a tree can be very calming, lower your stress and anxiety, and can reduce healing time. Depending on the situation, trees can even be romantic! For artists, trees are a thing of beauty that they recreate on canvas. For the homeowner, trees increase your property value and lower the temperature by providing shade which in turn saves you money!
If you are looking to add trees or shrubs to your landscape, check out the online list that the Waller Master Gardeners are currently selling at txmg.org/wallermg from now until October 5 at 5 p.m. You can pick up your order at the Community Christian Academy located at 1016 6th Street in Hempstead on October 25th from 8 am until 11 am.
Before you make your purchase, don’t forget to do your research and know how long the root system is for your preference, or else you could have some very expensive repairs in the future due to planting to close to buildings, roads, drives, inground pools, etc. Since the root system is important, you will want to make sure you know how to plant your tree or shrub correctly.
Here is a Tree Planting Guide that the Texas A&M Forest Service recommends. Notice that it says to keep mulch away from the trunk (no mounding!). Mulching directly against a tree trunk can suffocate the tree, trap moisture against the trunk which promotes fungi and bacterial growth, and encourages roots to grow in a circle around the trunk which can girdle and kill the tree. Instead of the mulch “volcano”, mulch should be spread in a ring around the tree keeping it a few inches away from the trunk making is look like a “mulch doughnut” instead.
So the next time you see a tree, give it a hug and tell it thank you for all it does! The tree will appreciate it!
