It is the one act within reach of nearly every man, woman, and child to improve the environment and make this world a better place. It is repayment of our debt to nature for the air we breathe and the joy we know from bird songs, summer shade, or the calming beauty of shimmering leaves.
Apart from the physical benefits of planting a tree, there are also the social benefits of working together to beautify a neighborhood or improve a park. “Friendship is the spirit of the forest,” wrote naturalist Enos Mills at the turn of the century, and it is as true of the urban forest as it is of the wilder places in rural America. The benefits of trees are given without prejudice, and the act of planting a tree offers common ground and a natural bond among all humans.
But planting a tree is not to be taken casually. It requires planning, great care, and a knowledge of trees and their needs. Experts estimate that young trees will grow twice as fast when planted correctly and will live at least twice as long as trees improperly set out. It is essential, then, to know the basic rules for selecting and planting trees.
