Saturday, May 16, 2009

Planting a tree? how about saving money too?

Montgomery county is trying to increase the number of trees on residential property. Their "Leaves for Neighborhoods" program lets you get $25 dollars off a qualifying tree you buy before May 31st if costs $75 or more, and you print out the coupon on their website, and buy from one of the participating nurseries. That's a number of restrictions, so see the website for full details.

According to them, there are environmental benefits:
  • Trees protect soil and help prevent erosion
  • Trees absorb carbon dioxide and improve local air quality
  • Trees filter stormwater runoff to improve local water quality in streams, rivers and tributaries
  • Native trees are drought-tolerant and need less water than non-native trees
  • Your actions result in proactive environmental stewardship
and economic benefits:
  • Trees can increase residential property values by as much as 15 percent
  • Shade trees can lower energy (heating and air-conditioning) costs by 15-30 percent
  • Proper placement of trees on your property can block wind, further increasing energy savings
I wouldn't mind having a redbud tree.

1 comment:

  1. Hmmm, have planted two trees at two different times and both have died. Perhaps I should let the county do it.

    First I tried a Silver Maple -- death

    Then, a dogwood -- death

    An elm has been growing in an area where I don't want it. Perhaps I will try one last attempt by transplanting it.

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