Tree Cheers for Arboriculture

The urban forestry movement has grown during the 1980s, as is evident by the growth of the International Society of Arboriculture, from 3316 members in 1980 to over 5143 today. A 55% increase. This growth and interest is also evident in the media; in urban forestry legislation at national, state and community levels; and when talking to people everywhere.

Some of this interest stems from an increased emphasis in the environment with global warming a central issue. The response to global warming and environmental degradation vary—most imply regulation or emphasize recycling. A few suggest planting and caring for trees. This is a positive proactive response to a global problem.

Tree planting and care on both urban and rural lands should be increased. In many urban areas four trees are being removed for every one planted. Properly located, tree plantings cut airconditioning costs by 10 to 50%, and reduce carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere.

The Illinois Department of Conservation is working on several elements of a tree planting program and hopes to expand these efforts as funds and staffing levels permit. We are currently working to:

1. Assist the Illinois Environmental Council with the program, Trees: Planting for the Planet. The United States Forest Service State and Private Forestry Northeastern Area at the request of the Illinois Department of Conservation Division of Forest Resources has agreed to provide $4,500 dollars to help start a program to promote the planting of one tree for each Illinois resident.

2. Establish an award program that will recognize examples of outstanding tree planting projects.

3. Provide technical assistance to groups involved with tree planting through the Division’s 22 District Foresters.

4. Provide trees and educational materials about trees to school children throughout the state. The Illinois Department of Conservation’s current Arbor Day program provides trees at the cost of 10 cents per tree to 80,000 school children per year. A future objective is to give a tree seedling to every student in 3rd or 4th grade.

5. Work with the American Forestry Association’s to promote the objectives of the Global ReLeaf Program within Illlinois. The American Forestry Association has initiated a campaign to plant 100 million trees in urban areas across the nation to help combat global warming. By reducing power consumption trees in urban areas can be 10 times more effective at reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than trees planted in rural areas. Properly placed in urban heat islands and around homes they reduce the need for air conditioning and can deflect winter winds.

6. Develop Public Service Announcements for television and radio about trees, tree planting and tree care.

I am looking forward to the development of these projects and opportunities to work with members of the International Society of Arboriculture. TREE CHEERS for trees, tree planting and ARBORICULTURE.

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