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.