I think that I shall never see
A TOPIC article as lovely as a tree...
We love our trees - from the Golden Spruce to the tree with the tire swing out back. Trees provide many quantifiable environmental and economic benefits, but our attachment to them is also strongly emotional.
In Paige's grandmother's back-yard is an apple tree that was planted the week she and my grandfather moved in, the week war was declared in 1939. Now that her grandmother has died and the property will be sold, she has a strong desire to do what she can to protect and perpetuate that tree-not just because of the pollutants it takes up, or even the habitat it provides for birds, but because of the memories she has of granny and fresh apple pies.
Benefits of Trees
| Preserving old trees and planting new ones was an important part of the recent redevelopment of St. Dunstan's, Aldergrove |
Benefits from trees fall into four main categories:
Temperature reduction: A tree's shade reduces the 'heat island' effect of urban areas by providing shade...imagine walking barefoot on dark pavement on a sunny day, and then imagine that experience under the shade of a tree.
Removal: Trees 'breathe out' oxygen through their leaves and 'breathe in' pollutants and converts or stores them to remove them from the air we breathe.
Emissions: Trees remove pollutants, but we must also do our part to reduce emissions by, for example, avoiding the use of gas-powered equipment to purchase, plant and maintain trees.
Energy conservation: If you plant a strategically-located tree or three to block the sun's heat from homes and sanctuaries, not only is the temperature reduced, but the use of energy and parish resources are also reduced.
For more information
Much of what appears on this page was taken from a talk by Dr. David Nowak, a researcher with the USDA Forest Service, to a gathering at St. Phillip's Church late last fall. You can find out more about his research at www.fs.fed.us. (hint: Put Nowak into the search engine for links to his research).
Planting Trees
How can you decide what trees to plant and where to plant them around your church property or home?
Plant low maintenance trees that will live a long time. It takes about five years to balance the energy used to grow and plant a new tree with the benefits of that tree.
The bigger the tree, and the longer it lives, the better the absorption of pollution. The more leaves, the better; and the more texture the leaves have, the better. Small, fuzzy leaves take up the most types of pollution.
Evergreens give year-round benefits on the north sides of buildings and leafy, deciduous trees give spring and summer benefits on the south and west sides.
Consider planting trees with multiple benefits to the environment: nut trees (walnuts and hazelnuts, for example) provide food for you and wildlife.
Plan to leave a legacy of valuable wood for eventual woodworking. Carbon is stored in trees, and that benefit is retained if the tree is used as wood.
Help from BC Hydro
A detailed review of any trees -such as the trees at St Bartholomew-often offers the information needed to see if the trees are healthy and can be managed or need to be replaced. From the ground, the trees may appear viable, but from their tops, there may be damage or disease that needs to be addressed.
BC Hydro works in cooperation with property owners to assess and manage trees that are in Hydro corridors. Contacting BC Hydro can help lead to a solution - their arborists and vegetation managers are able to provide detailed information taking into consideration the appropriateness of the species, the condition of the trees, and the location.
Resources available to you in the diocese
The diocese is also blessed with several knowledgeable volunteers in the area of tree benefits, tree maintenance, and low-maintenance landscaping and gardening. If you would like to connect with someone with these skills, please contact Paige Dampier, Parish Ministry Facilitator at 604-684-6306 x 227 or pdampier@vancouver.anglican.ca
Where to get help?
If you are unsure about the health of a tree on your property, or would like advice about ways to maintain the health of a tree on your property, contact a professional arborist. Professional arborists are certified through the International Society of Arboriculture. Their website (www.isa-arbor.com and www.treesaregood.com) provide a lot of information, and will link you through to local arborists and associations.
For more information
Much of what appears on this page was taken from a talk by Dr. David Nowak, a researcher with the USDA Forest Service, to a gathering at St. Phillip's Church late last fall. You can find out more about his research at http://www.fs.fed.us. (hint: Put Nowak into the search engine for links to his research).
The articles on this page were written by Nancy McLean and Paige Dampier. McLean is a Landscape Coordinator and Senior Planner with the Corporation of Delta, and a parishioner of St. Mary's Kerrisdale,