Archive for category: How To

Have you ever driven into a community and seen a sign commemorating that they are a “Tree City USA” winner designation? I have done that many times, but I never realized what it actually means. I live in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. I just found out that we have been designated such for 39 consecutive years but have never seen a sign at our community boundary. Being in the tree business, I know it is a good designation, but I figure I better find out what it means, especially during this time of year when we celebrate Earth Month, Earth Day, and Arbor Day. So, let’s find out together.

Tree City USA History

When you are named a Tree City USA designee, it means you have met the criteria established by the Arbor Day Foundation as well as that of the National Association of State Foresters. According to Arbor Day’s website, Tree City USA started in 1976 and is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs. Its founders had a vision for a greener, healthier America, and hoped this initiative would inspire change on a nationwide level. The first Tree City USA member list was comprised of 42 communities in 16 states. Today, the program includes more than 3,600 communities from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.

The National Association of State Foresters, according to its website, was born in 1920 and has served as a leading authority on forest management in the United States. NASF’s membership is composed of the directors of forestry agencies in the 50 states, five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Through its members, referred to as “state foresters,” the association advocates for federal legislation and national policies that promote the health, resilience, and productivity of both rural and urban forests.

State forestry agencies are the primary delivery system for forest management activities nationwide. They conserve, enhance, and protect state and private forests, which encompass nearly two-thirds of the nation’s forests, and are responsible for wildfire protection on more than 1.5 billion acres.  To that end, NASF administers another award that many of us are familiar with, the Smokey Bear Award. In the world of wildfire prevention, there is no greater honor than to receive a Smokey Bear Award. These special awards are reserved for people or organizations that provide sustained, outstanding service.

Tree City USA Benefits

Urban Forestry has become a buzzword over the past decade as many communities and government officials have come to recognize the benefits of trees in their community. The Gifted Tree’s blog on this topic highlights many of these benefits, but it is always helpful to refresh your memory as increasing the tree population in your geo-space yields so many wonderful results. A thriving urban tree canopy helps:

• Increase property values in your community.
• Provides natural air conditioning by keeping surroundings cooler as climate change has increased ambient temperatures. (It doesn’t take long to realize this in the summer if you lose a large shade tree on your property.)
• Act as a sound buffer, absorbing traffic noise and other high decibel creating annoyances.
• Protecting buildings from damage caused by high winds.
• Help fight the damaging effects of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and finally,
• Create green space in neighborhoods which is critical to improving mental and physical health.

Tree City USA Standards

To become a Tree City USA “winner”, communities must demonstrate meeting four standards:

1. Maintaining a tree board or department
2. Having a community tree ordinance
3. Spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
4. Celebrating Arbor Day, which this year is on Friday, April 26

How You Can Help

If your community is not part of the Tree USA group, and you have passion for trees, solicit your government officials to join the program. Publicly demonstrating a community’s commitment to the environment is a great way to build pride among residents, as well as position your community as an attractive place to live. The benefits trees bring to a city environment are numerous. Why not have that Tree City USA sign at the entrance to your neighborhood to let all know that you celebrate trees and the benefits they bring to the environment. The Gifted Tree is helping with urban forestry by now offering tree planting locations not just in national forests but in urban areas as well – New York City, Newark, New Jersey, and the Chicagoland area. When you plant a memorial or celebration tree, just select an urban planting location. Any questions, feel free to contact us directly. We want to help you celebrate Arbor Day all year long.

Introduction

Imagine being a tree. It is difficult to be a tree in a large metropolitan area. Towering skyscrapers, busy streets with many cars and utility infrastructure, pollution and of course, lots of people, challenges for tree growth abound.  In the hustle and bustle of urban life, where concrete jungles seem to dominate the landscape, a silent hero is emerging to combat environmental challenges and enhance the quality of life in cities – Urban Forestry. This dynamic and evolving field recognizes the importance of integrating trees and green spaces into urban planning to create a more sustainable and resilient environment. In this blog, we will delve into the concept of Urban Forestry, its benefits, and the crucial role tree planting plays in building healthier, happier, and more sustainable cities.

What is Urban Forestry?

Urban forestry is the act of maintaining, protecting, and in The Gifted Tree‘s case — planting — trees in urban locations. All within the backdrop of a rapidly changing landscape.  Urban Forestry is a multidisciplinary approach that involves the management and conservation of trees and green spaces within urban areas that need them most. It goes beyond simply planting trees; it encompasses the careful planning, maintenance, and preservation of urban forests to optimize the ecological, economic, and social benefits they provide. Urban Forestry considers the diverse roles of trees in mitigating climate change, improving air and water quality, reducing urban heat islands, and enhancing overall human well-being.

Imagine a city with no trees. You may not think much about the daily impact of trees on the quality of your life, but the list can be quite long detailing the benefits that city trees provide.

The Benefits of Urban Forestry

1.     Environmental Benefits:

·        Carbon Sequestration: Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change.

·        Air Quality Improvement: Trees filter pollutants from the air, contributing to a cleaner and healthier urban environment.

·        Biodiversity Support: Urban forests provide habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, promoting urban biodiversity.

2.     Economic Benefits:

·        Increased Property Values: Proximity to green spaces and well-maintained urban forests is associated with higher property values, benefiting both residents and the local economy.

·        Energy Savings: Strategic placement of trees can reduce energy consumption by providing shade in the summer and windbreaks in the winter, leading to lower energy bills.

3.     Social and Health Benefits:

·        Improved Mental Health: Access to nature in urban areas has been linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.

·        Recreational Opportunities: Urban forests offer spaces for recreational activities, promoting physical fitness and social interaction.

·        Enhanced Aesthetics: Trees and green spaces contribute to the visual appeal of cities, creating more attractive and livable urban environments.

4.     Climate Resilience:

·        Mitigation of Urban Heat Islands: Trees provide shade and cool the surrounding environment, mitigating the heat island effect common in urban areas. (Because these areas have many surfaces that retain heat, cities can be 20 degrees fahrenheit hotter than in surrounding rural areas. )

·        Stormwater Management: Urban forests help manage storm water runoff, reducing the risk of flooding and soil erosion.

Urban Forestry Challenges and Solutions

Despite the numerous benefits of Urban Forestry, challenges such as limited space, soil compaction, pollution, and inadequate funding can hinder its successful implementation. Furthermore, not everyone is enamored with having a tree on their property.  Despite all the benefits listed above, trees create more work (raking leaves in the fall) and potentially costly maintenance (pruning limbs as the trees grow). However, innovative solutions and community engagement can overcome these obstacles. Involving local communities in tree planting initiatives, implementing green infrastructure, and integrating Urban Forestry into urban planning are essential steps toward building more sustainable and resilient cities.

The Gifted Tree has initiated an urban forestry aspect to its memorial and celebration tree planting program helping you become part of the solution. You now have an option to choose New York or New Jersey as tree planting project locations. These projects are part of The Gifted Tree’s urban forestry projects where donations, instead of planting individual trees, will help plant groves of trees in urban areas – neighborhood parks, schools, and urban campuses. The trees planted are a biodiverse mix of locally grown trees appropriate for urban environments, more mature in their growth cycle and average 3-6 feet in height when planted helping to ensure long-term survivability and the ability to thrive in this urban area setting and more resilient to climate changes of increased temperatures.

Conclusion

Urban Forestry is a vital component of urban development that holds the key to creating healthier, more sustainable, and resilient cities. By recognizing and embracing the multifaceted benefits of trees and green spaces, urban planners, policymakers, and communities can work together to weave a green tapestry into the fabric of our cities. As we move towards a future marked by increased urbanization, the importance of Urban Forestry cannot be overstated— planting trees is a beacon of hope for a greener, more harmonious urban landscape.

Giving somebody a gift after they’ve lost a loved one can be an excellent way to show you’re thinking of them during this challenging time, however, there can be particularly treacherous waters to navigate while doing so. Not everybody appreciates materialistic gifts during a time of grieving; it can make it more difficult to move on. Nobody wants to forget about lost loved ones, and everyone copes with these losses in their own way. Sometimes, actual physical gifts can have a negative impact. We have been told many times that while flowers can be nice, they die within a few days and when it is time to discard them, it brings back to mind the loss one more time. The Gifted Tree was created to help give gifting options that will soothe the souls of those who have lost a loved one while making a lasting memory in honor of the individual who passed on.  

Help the Grieving Cope Over Time

The Gifted Tree provides a unique, memorable way for the person that lost somebody to know there is an actual living piece of the earth that will last for hundreds of years in the memory of the one they’ve lost. Many times, religious or not, those who lose somebody struggle with the loss because of the finality of death; realizing a loved one is no longer around to provide love, companionship and sage advice is a difficult concept to grasp. Time and time again, The Gifted Tree has given grieving families a bit of respite to know that the one they lost has been remembered and will symbolically live on for generations to come.  Everlasting Memorial Gift Trees are often the most thoughtful gifts because they assist with grieving.

Make a Difference in More than One Way

It’s no secret that we’ve been cutting down trees faster than the earth grows them. It’s an unsustainable, parasitic act, and we must stop before it’s too late. While you can help honor somebody who is no longer with us and assist through the grieving process by planting a memorial tree, you are simultaneously making a difference and giving the earth a gift, too. Humans cut down 15 billion trees annually, a number which continues to climb every year. The Gifted Tree is an inexpensive way to use a loss to the world’s benefit. Help fight global warming and save dozens of endangered species by planting a tree in memory of a loved one.

Pet Loss Trees

Please remember that lost loved ones aren’t always human family members and friends. Losing a pet can often be just as difficult for many – especially if the pet has been a part of the family for many years.  As Winnie the Pooh said, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Pet Loss Trees come with several unique and memorable tribute certificate options to be displayed in the family’s home that lost a pet. Perhaps as you go through the ordering process, consider having the tree planted in a location that best suits the pet’s ancestry. The Gifted Tree has 70+ tree planting locations in the United States National Forest and in many countries around the world. The actual forest or country will be listed on the tree planting certificate.

Should you want to contact a representative to ask questions, or place an order, speak to a live person, toll-free, by calling  800-984-2101 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9-4, Eastern time zone. Orders can be placed 24/7 online through The Gifted Tree website. Be remembered for giving the best, most thoughtful gift when your friends lose a loved one, by giving the gift of life as a memorial to those who are gone.