Plant a Tree to Nurture Your Soul

Fall is an excellent time to plant a tree. Trees will become more easily established now since the soil is better able to retain moisture in the fall rather than during the heat of summer. If you are too busy now or you're not sure what to plant, then wait until early spring. But don't plant in late spring or summer because the tree may suffer from heat stress.

Trees that Heal. Consider planting a tree to celebrate an event or remember a loved one. Whether in our backyards planted as a family's first Christmas tree, at a sacred site to honor a loved one, or to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or new birth, planting trees is a step towards creating a living memorial and caring for the environment.

I've participated in various tree plantings activities over the years — each with its own memories. As a tree tender, I led volunteers in a community tree planting at a local park two years ago. Through those efforts, those involved in the tree maintenance (watering and mulching) have formed a bond within our community. We took turns filling jugs of water and watering the trees during the scorching hot summer of 2009. This was not an easy task, but the results were worth it. Most of the trees survived and so did our relationships.

Several friends of mine have lost a loved one, and then planted a tree to honor their memory. The trees come to represent ever-present living symbols of the departed. Through nurturing the trees with friends and family, not only is the tree strengthened by the care, but so are the survivors who forge a special bond by sharing a common goal of keeping the tree healthy.

Trees Benefit the Environment. There are so many reasons to plant a tree in your yard or in your community. Tree roots help hold water and decrease flooding. According to the U.S. Forest Service, 100 mature trees capture 77,000 gallons of rainwater annually. In addition, they keep our waterways healthy by filtering out impurities.

Tree leaves help soak up atmospheric pollutants such as volatile organic compounds from automobile exhaust. By providing shade, trees help lower energy bills. According to information from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), trees reduce home air-conditioning costs by as much as 30 percent. Also, one large tree in your front yard adds 10 percent to the value of your property.

For information on how to plant a tree and what trees to plant, visit the PHS Web site.

Trees Improve Our Health. Most people seek the comfort of shade on a hot, sunny day. But trees can contribute to lower levels of violence, reduced stress and mental fatigue. Trees help stimulate physical activity and creative play among children, according to studies from William C. Sullivan and colleagues.

Plant One Million. If you live in southeastern Pennsylvania and decide to plant a tree, consider registering your tree with Plant One Million. This ambitious multi-state tree-planting campaign of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society encompasses 13 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania (Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Philadelphia and others) and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. The goal is to plant 1 million trees by 2020 in our region. Help the cause and have your tree counted!