“Other holidays repose on the past. Arbor Day proposes the future.”
— J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day
Most trees and shrubs in cities or communities are planted to provide beauty or shade. These are two excellent purposes for greenery, however, trees also serve many other functions. It is helpful to consider these other roles when selecting trees and shrubs for landscape, and now is the time to get planting.
Reserve your tree now for our annual tree plantings. Keep Liberty County Beautiful, the Georgia Forestry Commission and Brewers Christmas Tree Farm have a limited number of young trees and seedlings available to give to youth and civic groups, churches, businesses, municipalities, organizations and agencies. The offer is good while supplies last.
We want to plant for our future. This year we have dogwoods, white oaks, shumard oaks and crepe myrtles ready to go. Call us now at 880-4888 or e-mail klcb@coastalnow.net to participate in the planting event.
We will also have a limited number of trees and seedlings for individuals interested in planting trees at their homes. These trees will be available for pick up at our quarterly Recycle It! Fair during Arbor Day weekend on Feb. 20. Call now if you would like to reserve a certain type of tree. The Recycle It! Fair is Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the old hospital site in Hinesville.
There are plenty of reasons to get involved. Trees aren’t just for climbing, you know. Consider these often unknown benefits of trees as well as some amazing facts:
• Trees reduce energy costs. Properly planted trees are a “low-tech” solution to energy conservation because they reduce air conditioning needs in the summer and lower heating costs in the winter. The U. S. Department of Agriculture says a young, healthy tree has the cooling effect of 10 room-sized air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.
• Trees reduce air pollution and produce the oxygen we breathe. The USDA says one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and produces four tons of oxygen. This is enough oxygen to meet the needs of 18 people each year.
• Trees attract wildlife. They provide habitat for songbirds and other wildlife.
• Trees slow water runoff and prevent erosion. The leaves of trees break the force of rain, which reduces flooding by helping water seep into the soil. Tree roots help hold the soil in place on hillsides, preventing erosion.
•Trees add value along streets and on private property. According to the USDA Forest Service, healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to property value. Trees also add value to retail areas, making them more inviting places to shop. Several studies show that retail sales increase in attractive, well-landscaped shopping areas.
• Trees can screen noise. Forestry researchers have shown that even thin belts of trees can reduce noise by three to five decibels.
• In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8,700 miles.
• Trees along streets act as a glare and reflection control.
• The death of one 70-year-old tree would return more than three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.
• One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year.
• One acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
• Shade trees can make buildings up to 20 degrees cooler in the summer.
Now doesn’t that make you want to run out and plant some trees? There is no doubt about it. Trees are so important to our daily lives, even though we take them for granted most of the time. So get out there and plant some trees for our future.
More upcoming KLCB events that need your help or participation:
• Through Feb. 11: Melon Bluff photo competition and exhibition: The annual photography competition celebrates Georgia’s coastal trees. More information at www.melonbluff.com.
• Through Feb. 19: Phonebook and catalog recycling. Turn in out-of-date phonebooks and business catalogs for recycling at area drop-off sites throughout the county:
• Liberty County courthouse annex lobby, Hinesville
• City hall lobby, Hinesville
• City hall lobby, Midway
• City hall lobby, Riceboro
• City hall porch, Walthourville
• City hall lobby, Flemington
• YMCA
• Feb. 19: Annual Arbor Day ceremony at 11 a.m., sponsored by the Morning Glory Garden Club at Main Street Park in Hinesville.
• Feb. 20: Live oaking demonstration at Melon Bluff Nature Preserve
For more information on Keep Liberty County Beautiful programs, contact Swida at 880-4888 or klcb@coastalnow.net.
— J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day
Most trees and shrubs in cities or communities are planted to provide beauty or shade. These are two excellent purposes for greenery, however, trees also serve many other functions. It is helpful to consider these other roles when selecting trees and shrubs for landscape, and now is the time to get planting.
Reserve your tree now for our annual tree plantings. Keep Liberty County Beautiful, the Georgia Forestry Commission and Brewers Christmas Tree Farm have a limited number of young trees and seedlings available to give to youth and civic groups, churches, businesses, municipalities, organizations and agencies. The offer is good while supplies last.
We want to plant for our future. This year we have dogwoods, white oaks, shumard oaks and crepe myrtles ready to go. Call us now at 880-4888 or e-mail klcb@coastalnow.net to participate in the planting event.
We will also have a limited number of trees and seedlings for individuals interested in planting trees at their homes. These trees will be available for pick up at our quarterly Recycle It! Fair during Arbor Day weekend on Feb. 20. Call now if you would like to reserve a certain type of tree. The Recycle It! Fair is Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the old hospital site in Hinesville.
There are plenty of reasons to get involved. Trees aren’t just for climbing, you know. Consider these often unknown benefits of trees as well as some amazing facts:
• Trees reduce energy costs. Properly planted trees are a “low-tech” solution to energy conservation because they reduce air conditioning needs in the summer and lower heating costs in the winter. The U. S. Department of Agriculture says a young, healthy tree has the cooling effect of 10 room-sized air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.
• Trees reduce air pollution and produce the oxygen we breathe. The USDA says one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and produces four tons of oxygen. This is enough oxygen to meet the needs of 18 people each year.
• Trees attract wildlife. They provide habitat for songbirds and other wildlife.
• Trees slow water runoff and prevent erosion. The leaves of trees break the force of rain, which reduces flooding by helping water seep into the soil. Tree roots help hold the soil in place on hillsides, preventing erosion.
•Trees add value along streets and on private property. According to the USDA Forest Service, healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to property value. Trees also add value to retail areas, making them more inviting places to shop. Several studies show that retail sales increase in attractive, well-landscaped shopping areas.
• Trees can screen noise. Forestry researchers have shown that even thin belts of trees can reduce noise by three to five decibels.
• In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8,700 miles.
• Trees along streets act as a glare and reflection control.
• The death of one 70-year-old tree would return more than three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.
• One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year.
• One acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
• Shade trees can make buildings up to 20 degrees cooler in the summer.
Now doesn’t that make you want to run out and plant some trees? There is no doubt about it. Trees are so important to our daily lives, even though we take them for granted most of the time. So get out there and plant some trees for our future.
More upcoming KLCB events that need your help or participation:
• Through Feb. 11: Melon Bluff photo competition and exhibition: The annual photography competition celebrates Georgia’s coastal trees. More information at www.melonbluff.com.
• Through Feb. 19: Phonebook and catalog recycling. Turn in out-of-date phonebooks and business catalogs for recycling at area drop-off sites throughout the county:
• Liberty County courthouse annex lobby, Hinesville
• City hall lobby, Hinesville
• City hall lobby, Midway
• City hall lobby, Riceboro
• City hall porch, Walthourville
• City hall lobby, Flemington
• YMCA
• Feb. 19: Annual Arbor Day ceremony at 11 a.m., sponsored by the Morning Glory Garden Club at Main Street Park in Hinesville.
• Feb. 20: Live oaking demonstration at Melon Bluff Nature Preserve
For more information on Keep Liberty County Beautiful programs, contact Swida at 880-4888 or klcb@coastalnow.net.