5 Reasons to be Thankful for Trees

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and people are taking stock of what they are thankful for. Are trees on your list? Trees are everywhere in our daily lives and can be easy to look past, but we can help show you how in-tree-guing they can be! If you’re stumped regarding gratitudes, we’ve got 5 reasons why we should be thankful for trees.

1. They Help the Environment 

With the atmosphere being continuously polluted with CO2 and fossil fuels, we need trees to help clean it up! Trees use photosynthesis to grow, by taking in sunlight and CO2 and turning it back into vital oxygen. By the time a tree reaches 10 years of age, according to the Urban Forestry Report, “They release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support two human beings.” 

Air pollution is also a culprit of some health effects like respiratory and cardiovascular disease, which trees can help lessen. A tree’s roots also help clean up water pollution, as the roots soak up some of the toxins in water, clearing it of some contaminants. 

2. They Give Animals a Home

Trees help the ecosystem by giving all kinds of animals a home. They give a place for squirrels and birds to keep their nests, along with bats, insects, mice and raccoons. Animals can take a break from the sun by using a tree’s shade, can shelter in trees as a safe place to reproduce and raise their young, and mature trees provide nuts and fruit for food! 

3. They Improve Mental Health 

We often focus on the physical benefits that trees have to offer, but also they help improve mental health. The presence of trees encourages people to spend time outdoors, which can help them relax.  People living in urban areas tend to be more stressed out, but even limited exposure to trees and nature can improve mental health. 

4. They Benefit the Economy

Trees contribute to the economy when they are cut down and used in different products, like building materials or paper goods. However, trees can also stand tall and proud while still providing economic benefits. 

You have probably stepped into a tree’s shade to block the sun and get some relief from the heat, but their shade also helps cool your house as a whole. If trees are placed on the west and south sides of your home, they can help you save on air conditioning costs. 

Tree-lined neighborhoods and well-landscaped homes are also more welcoming to potential buyers. Trees can increase curb appeal and the value of the home by 10%. Businesses also thrive in tree-filled areas, as people are drawn to shop and enjoy the nice foliage. 

5. They are Beautiful and Help the Community 

We can’t forget how wonderful trees are to look at! From their still beauty against the snow, their springtime buds and flowers, to their luscious summer green and changing autumn leaves, they are aesthetically pleasing all year round. Trees also can help their community by absorbing sound, making things a little quieter. And trees have a positive effect on a community-wide level, by lowering aggression and criminal activity, and encouraging people to drive slower — making the community safer. 

There are many more reasons that we at Premier Tree Solutions are thankful for trees! We offer quality tree solutions and are here to answer any and all of your tree-related questions. Call us at 404.252.6448 or book an appointment online for our expert assistance.

Be a Georgia Tree Know It All: Paperbark Maple

Get to know Georgia’s beautiful array of trees and how you can take care of your own! Each month, we feature some of the most popular trees in the state, including the Black Cherry, American Yellowwood, and Sassafras tree. 

This month, we are showcasing the Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) — perhaps the South’s most beautiful maple! 

Characteristics

Home gardeners can count on the Paperbark Maple. With its height between 20 and 30 feet tall, it is sure to be a stately ornamental tree, as its canopy spreads anywhere from 15 to 25 feet. The green flowers are subdued, but its magnificent fall color can include orange, bronze, purple, or russet red. 

Two prized attributes are its unique trifoliate leaves, and a dense growth habit. But one of its finest ornamental features is its peeling, cinnamon-brown bark, which stands out with particular brilliance should you experience some winter snow. The Chicago Botanic Garden assures this is “a superb small maple with wonderful bark.”

Paperbark Maple is both a multi-trunked and low-branched specimen. Its showy, oval-shaped brown fruit grows between 1 – 3 inches, but does not attract wildlife. Overall, this lovely tree will  not create a litter problem for your yard!  It is commonly used as a dramatic specimen for landscaping, with the suggestion to light it from below at night.

Growing Conditions

The Paperbark Maple thrives within a mix of full sun and partial shade. It tolerates multiple soils so long as they are well-drained, including those that involve a mix of clay, sand, or loam, and pH levels ranging from acidic to slightly alkaline. It is moderately drought tolerant. While the tree is hardy, propagation can be difficult and expensive, as many of the seeds are sterile. 

Partial shade is the best choice for growing Paperbark Maple in the South, according to the University of Florida Extension. The tree can be grown in zones 4-8 (Atlanta and North Georgia are in zone 7) and it blooms from March through May.

Tree Care

These trees should be pruned after the blooms are spent in late winter to early spring. Monitor for pests, diseases, and other problems regularly, protect the trunk against extreme winter freezing, and from damage by mowing and other maintenance during warmer seasons. But in general, the Paperbark Maple shares similar issues with pests and diseases that can afflict other maple varieties, such as Verticillium Wilt, Crown Gall, and Anthracnose.

Signs of Distress

Extended drought and poor soil can be a stressor for the Paperbark Maple, especially in the South.  It must be given ample irrigation in a dry summer, to prevent leaves from scorching. Leaf scorch is a general classification for numerous problems that can befall maple trees, but tell-tale signs include light brown or tan dead spaces along leaf edges and between veins. Verticillium wilt is another common problem in maples and is sometimes referred to as “maple wilt.” While caring for the Paperbark Maple, also stay on the lookout for powdery mildew and lichen.

Whether your trees are stately specimens or ornamental shade trees, we want to keep them healthy for years to come. When you need quality pruning and trimming service for your Paperbark Maple and other trees, contact us online or call us at 404.252.6448.