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Historical September–October 2018 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
This is a call to action. Plant more trees!
The 2014 Skinker DeBaliviere Neighborhood Development Plan places a high priority on creating a comprehensive reforestation plan. Our neighborhood is blessed with many large trees because of the thoughtful stewardship of previous generations; however, there are problems. Our larger trees are nearing the end of their lifespans.
Some replacement trees are not thriving or are ornamental varieties not intended to serve the same function as the larger trees they replace.
The neighborhood tree canopy map also reveals many open areas that would benefit from tree replanting.
A healthy, extensive urban tree canopy has many important benefits according to the urban foresters who work in Saint Louis. Christine McCarthy is a certified Arborist in the City of Saint Louis Forestry Division.
She manages the street tree program. Trees are planted based on Citizens’ Service Bureau requests, Aldermanic requests and data acquired from the Street Tree Inventory, a database of street trees. Under her direction, the City plants over 3000 trees per year. For more information on the City of Saint Louis Street Tree Program, go to goo.gl/x2WMnk. Tom Ebeling is an Urban Forester with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. Forest ReLeaf is a nonprofit whose mission is restoring and maintaining a healthy urban forest.
They provide lowcost or no-cost trees, educational outreach and community access to tree canopy reports.
According to Tom, Urban Foresters maintain databases of current trees (including species and locations), coordinate tree maintenance, assess trees for safety and health, and remove and replant trees. Forest ReLeaf was a key contributor to the tree planting projects conducted by neighbors in Lucier Park.
To learn more about Forest ReLeaf and their tree programs, go to moreleaf.org.
According to Mr. Ebeling and Ms. McCarthy, there are public health costs to an inadequate tree canopy. Having trees increases the amount of breathable oxygen and reduces the amount of pollutants in the air.
This leads to lower incidence of respiratory diseases, like asthma. Trees can reduce both winter heating and summer cooling costs.
This is particularly true in the summer, when the urban heat island can raise temperatures by more than 10 degrees.
The urban heat island is most common in cities where the urban tree canopy is not strong, like Saint Louis. Currently, Saint Louis typically has 19 more days over 90 degrees than surrounding rural areas.
The cooling benefit of the tree canopy doesn’t just help reduce your a/c bills; shaded asphalt pavement breaks down more slowly, saving tax dollars as well.
In general, housing prices are higher in neighborhoods with a healthy tree canopy. Trees also help storm water runoff, which may not only help your basement, but also our aging Des Peres River storm water system.
Finally, a healthy Urban Tree Canopy has been linked to reduced crime, slowed traffic and an overall reduction in psychological stress. Although our neighborhood is blessed with many shady streets, many of our trees are old and large, and will not live much longer.
The high priority placed on developing a neighborhood reforestation plan requires two things: a neighborhood effort to assess, replant and maintain our shared tree canopy and homeowner efforts to plant trees on their property.
To help begin our neighborhood tree assessment and plan for planting, join us on Saturday, October 20th, from 10:30am to 12am. Training will be provided. Also, plant a tree this fall because, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The second best time is now.”
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2018.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: October twentieth event prints 10:30 am to 12 am; retain source closing time without guessing noon. Climate and public health statistics attributed to historical article, not independently reverified research.
Original source: SD_Times2018_09.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
