Seeing the Forests Through the Trees

The Envirocast^TM – Weather and Watershed Newsletter was a join project of the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation and the Center for Watershed Protection and was produced in partnership with StormCenter Communications, Inc. It was developed under a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Seeing the Forests Through the Trees

Deciduous trees dominate the forest cover in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Their leaves are now turning, and will soon drop to the ground. As we begin our annual ritual of leaf raking, it’s a good time to think not only about the beauty of fall foliage, but also of the important role that forests play in the health of the Bay watershed. In this issue of the Envirocast^TM – Weather and Watershed Newsletter, we examine trends in forest cover in the watershed and then take a look at how annual leaf fall influences the ecology of both the land and waters in our region.

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Tips for Viewers You can add to forest cover in the Bay watershed by planting a tree in your backyard. Indeed, the Fall is an ideal time to plant trees. Five tips on planting healthy trees are provided below.

1. Explore your yard to find the best places to plant a tree. Avoid overhead power lines, and make sure the tree will have room for its roots when it reaches full size. Check out the soil, shade and other conditions your tree will face over the years. Think about planting trees along the east and west side of your property for best energy savings.
   
   
2. Select the right tree species. Ask your local nursery which tree species are best suited for your backyard conditions and landscaping objectives (e.g., attracting wildlife, fruit, shade or form). Or you can check out the tree selector at the National Arbor Day Foundation Web site. Consider choosing native tree species. To get an early start, choose container-grown stock or purchase a “balled and burlapped” tree from a nursery that is at least five feet tall. Or, if you want to save money, you can plant seedlings up until the first frost of the year. Several organizations sell and ship seedlings, which can be found in our cool links section.
   
   
3. Dig your Planting Hole. Lay the foundation for easy root growth for your tree by digging a great planting hole. The rule of thumb is to dig the hole deep enough to accommodate the entire root ball, and wide enough so that it is three times the diameter of the root ball. Remember to loosen the soil on the sides of your planting hole so that roots can grow.
   
   
4. Plant the Tree. Backfill the planting hole with loose dirt. Generously water the hole to settle soil and remove air pockets. Spread a two to three-inch layer of hardwood mulch over the planting hole (but not right up to the trunk). Some folks stake their tree, but this is only needed if the tree really has a hard time standing up on its own.
   
   
5. Give your Tree a Good Chance. Remember to water your tree in the first few months after planting. If deer are prevalent in your neighborhood, you may also want to purchase a tree shelter to keep them from dining on your tree.

• About 80% of the forests in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are privately owned, with the remaining 20% owned by federal, state or local agencies. Private forest parcels are becoming smaller over time, with more than 40% of these parcels less than 100 acres in size. Private landowners can make a real contribution to the Bay by managing these woodlands.
  
  
• The branches and trees of urban forests help to intercept and slow down rainfall so that it does not become storm water runoff. The canopy of a mature oak tree can intercept and retain more than 500 gallons of rainfall in a given year, which helps reduce the volume of storm water runoff in our cities. According to researchers, a healthy forest canopy can reduce storm water runoff by as much as seven percent. While this doesn’t seem like much, it would cost more than five billion dollars to replace this free service within the Baltimore-Washington area.
  
  
• Trees contribute to better neighborhoods, and homebuyers are willing to pay a premium to live in forested neighborhoods. Economic research has shown that property values are at least 5% higher in forested neighborhoods, compared to un-forested ones.
  
  
• An acre of trees can remove 40 tons of carbon from the atmosphere and incorporate it into woody structure each year. The same acre produces enough oxygen each year to sustain about a thousand people.
  
  
• Forested neighborhoods (those with a 40% forest canopy) save homeowners at least 4 percent in heating bills in the winter and 10 percent on cooling bills in the summer. Energy savings can be as high as 30% when trees are planted on east and west sides of each home.

• American Forests



• National Arbor Day Foundation



• TreeLink



• Leaf Pack Network



• Tree-Mendous Maryland Program



• Center for Urban Forest Research