Trees aren’t a trend

There are over eight million hits on Google for the phrase “go green.” From the countless top-ten lists to the carbon footprint calculators to the articles on the dangers of nail polish, it’s safe to say that the world has green on the brain.

It seems like every company is trying to market its products as the latest and greatest green thing. Clearly, someone got the memo that green sells. But we at Tree Trust would like to reintroduce the ultimate green product, one that has been around since before the concept of going green was even a twinkle in someone’s eye. One that is not trendy, but timeless. Of course, it’s the mighty tree.

You don’t have to be a tree-hugger to appreciate the benefits of trees (although it doesn’t hurt). On the aforementioned top-ten lists, recommendations that focus on conserving energy take up numerous spots (e.g., use compact fluorescent light bulbs, unplug things, turn the thermostat down in the winter).

Let’s not forget about trees. Trees help conserve energy. They provide a windbreak in the winter to lower heating costs, and they provide shade in the summer to lower cooling costs.

Trees also provide homes for wildlife, branches for tire swings, oxygen for us to breathe, and a natural method for reining in carbon dioxide. Their buds announce the arrival of spring, their green adds character to a Minnesota summer, and their glorious fall colors make us relish the lingering warmth of our days before winter.

Another top-ten list recommendation is to conserve water. Trees help with that, too. Although newly planted trees do require quite a bit of watering, once they mature they help manage our storm water by intercepting rainfall and filtering out pollutants.

Your answers to our August newsletter survey question, “What does ‘go green’ mean to you?” included many of the same suggestions. One person actually responded, “Buying great trees from Tree Trust” and let us know that the Korean Ash she purchased through the Minneapolis City Trees program is doing well. Another person had this great suggestion: “Buy food that is sustainable and try for local as much as possible.”

Tree Trust also emphasizes local sustainability by giving people the opportunity to actively green our communities. Whether by a donation of money to our Green Futures initiative or by a donation of hard work as a planting day volunteer, you can make a positive impact on our local environment. And you can know that you’re supporting a green product that will stand the test of time.

Learn more about our Community Forestry program.