The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental nonprofit Resilient Palisades to deliver a weekly “green tip” to our readers. This week’s tip was written by Sheda Morshed.
Fall has (almost) arrived and with it, our planting season. This year, take a look around your property for the opportunity to plant something you may not have considered before: a new tree.
Did you know City Plants will deliver free trees straight to your door? They’ll even plant your sidewalk trees, for free. All you need is two to three minutes on their website and bam—you’re on your way to:
Lowering air pollution and capturing global warming emissions.
Creating shade, with an estimated drop of 2 to 9°F in area temperatures and a drop of 20 to 45°F in surface temperatures during peak temperatures (compared to unshaded areas), according to the EPA. If you have options of where to plant, a tree or vine on the westside of your property will provide the highest home-cooling capacity, especially if you’re shading your windows or part of your roof.
Capturing rain and sprinkler runoff to help replenish groundwater supplies.
Improving your block’s aesthetics and quality of life, including noise reduction.
Providing food and shelter for beneficial wildlife, including important pollinators and our mosquito- and rodent-feeding friends.
Increasing your property value by eight to 15%, according to CABE Space.
Fall is the optimal tree-planting season, so don’t wait.
While perusing City Plant’s list of 30 tree species or when shopping for vines at your local nursery, consider natives first. California native plants are adapted to our region’s climate, soil quality and water supplies, so they eliminate, or minimize, the need for fertilizers, pesticides and other toxic chemicals.
Pick the right plant for the right space and voila, you’re all set for a host of benefits for years to come. Is there any other two- to three-minute action that can gift so much?
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