By Nancy Bauer
Info for the Tree Hugger in All of Us:
Trees: the more you know, the more reasons there are to love them.
Shade, of course, is the obvious starting point. Trees keep our picnics, patios, parking lots and homes cool. That makes trees cool.
But beyond the obvious, we’re learning more and more about how valuable trees are both to the environment and our health.
- Just by doing what they do standing still in the earth, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. An average tree absorbs 26 lbs. of carbon dioxide from the air each year.
- By standing tall and creating shade, trees reduce the heat island effect of hot pavement in urban areas, sometimes by as much as 10 degrees!
- *Consider their economic value. Trees are not only the most expensive investment among landscape plants, but they appreciate over time as they grow. Individual trees can be worth thousands of dollars as they mature.
So how often do you hug your trees?
- Do you keep them properly pruned? That helps protect against wind and storm damage.
- Do you check out possible diseases or bug infestations when things look a little off? Evaluations and treatments that are warranted can keep trees healthy and protect your property value for the long term.
- Do you quench their thirst? Right now in the midst of drought, keeping trees properly watered is critical to their survival. Thirsty trees have more brittle limbs that will be more likely to break in storms – and drought-stressed trees are more susceptible to insects and disease. As with humans, hydration is the most critical component for tree health.
Kids and Gardening
Kids – 98% of them – who grow their own vegetables will actually eat them, says the American Gardening Association!
That means kids will want to eat peas, carrots, tomatoes and maybe even spinach! Experts say that kids need to be outside more and that gardening is one great outdoor activity they can enjoy all summer long. Show them how fun gardening can be!
Help them by doing. The key to cultivating young gardeners is in getting them involved and letting them do the ‘work’. Even a 3-year-old can tuck some seeds into the soil and will love holding the water wand to sprinkle newly planted seeds. Keep it simple. Kids are most motivated when they grow plants that are easy to grow and that show fast results.
The Buzz on Bees
On nearly every continent, native bee populations have seen dramatic declines. So what can gardeners do to help pollinators? Landscape with plants that appeal to them!
- Plant pollen rich flowering plants; Butterfly weed Blackeyed Susan Coneflower Phlox, Sedum and Sunflowers.
- Hummingbirds prefer Cardinal flower Columbines and Trumpet Vine
- Provide water; a dripping faucet, a birdbath or mud puddle attracts bees and butterflies.
- Sunny sites; bees are more active when warm, and most flower varieties require several hours or more of sun per day to produce nectar and pollen.