In 1988 I started a landscape irrigation business. For the next two decades –before I focused full-time on my field service software company HindSite – I was focused on irrigating landscapes. I’m a little ashamed to admit it, but even though I worked so long irrigating landscapes, I was naïve about the value of trees in those landscapes.
But not anymore. I’ve learned more about the value of trees in three days riding in my first STIHL Tour des Trees than more than two decades as the owner of a landscape irrigation business. The arborists on this ride really know their stuff, and they’ve taught me a lot about the value of trees, including:
Trees help control erosion – I grew up in North Dakota and now better understand the importance of planting windbreaks to help prevent wind and water from eroding soil. And by limiting erosion, it means our water quality improves because runoff containing pesticides and chemicals isn’t allowed to enter into our waterways.
Trees save energy – According to the Center for Urban Forest Research, if you plant a tree on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years, the savings will be nearly 12%. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. That’s a lot of energy saved just by planting a couple trees.
Trees add value to properties – One of the major reasons I was able to make a living installing and servicing landscape irrigation systems was because they promoted a healthy landscape, which in turn improves property values. Until the Tour des Trees, I never really realized just how much trees can improve property values. I learned that, according to the USDA Forest Service, healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property’s value.
For these reasons, it’s vitally important that we manage our urban forests. By planting trees and properly caring for them, we can improve the environment in which we live, save energy and ultimately add value to our properties. For example, in St. Paul we’re starting to see emerald ash borers destroy valuable trees. In the past, Dutch Elm Disease devastated our state. If caught early and preventative measures are taken, valuable trees can be saved.
Though I’m physically fatigued by the Tour des Trees ride through Wisconsin, I’ve been mentally stimulated and now proudly proclaim the motto I’ve heard throughout the past three days: Give trees a chance!
This blog post was written while I was taking part in my first STIHL Tour des Trees, a weeklong, 500-mile cycling event held each year to benefit the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund). To learn more visit http://stihltourdestrees.org/ .