More About Trees

In a 2001 study in one Chicago public housing development, there were dramatically fewer occurrences of crime against both people and property in apartment buildings surrounded by trees and greenery than in nearby identical apartments that were surrounded by barren land. In fact, compared with buildings that had little or no vegetation, buildings with high levels of greenery had 48 percent fewer property crimes and 56 percent fewer violent crimes. Even modest amounts of greenery were associated with lower crime rates. The greener the surroundings, the fewer the number of crimes that occurred.

Aaron led this group of volunteers in the Spring 2008 Northern Addition neighborhood community tree planting.

Residential common areas with trees and other greenery help to build strong neighborhoods. In a study conducted at a Chicago public housing development, residents of buildings with more trees and grass reported that they knew their neighbors better, socialized with them more often, had stronger feelings of community, and felt safer and better adjusted than did residents of more barren, but otherwise identical, buildings.

 

A citizen has brought this flyer to my attention and I thought I’d share some information with you.

 

The Christmas season is upon us. Think about the scenes of Christmas where you and your family make memories.

The fresh fallen snow on evergreen boughs.

The below information was originally published on the Clean Air Gardening website.

We're proud of the thousands of trees we have been responsible for planning through donations to the National Arbor Day Foundation. Here's a look at why we think that trees are important at Clean Air Gardening, and why we'll continue planting more of them.

Planting trees in your neighborhood really is one of the best things you can do for the local environment and for the planet. It’s no secret that trees help the environment, but you may be surprised by all the benefits that planting trees can provide. Besides producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide and contaminants from the air, trees have many other social, economic, and environmental benefits.

 

Members of the Rochester Rowing Club have agreed to take on another challenge. While sweat is still a key ingredient, this task will need grabbers instead of oars.

 

Root Barriers

Three Types

1. Deflectors– redirect root growth
2. Inhibitors– contain chemical compounds which prevent root development
3. Traps– root penetrates through fiber and is not allowed to grow radially

Top edge must be at least 1 inch above soil level to prevent roots from growing over top edge.

If plastic barriers are used they should be:

1. High density polyethylene
2. UV resistant– prevents deterioration of above ground portion
3. Thermal durability– doesn’t get brittle during colder months of the year
4. Connections should not be easily twisted or pulled apart

*Effectiveness is species dependent

The former home of Drs. Charles H. and Charles W. Mayo. Photo compliments of the History Center of Olmsted County.

The article below was written by Jay Maier, owner of Maier Forest and Tree, an RNeighborWoods Partner.

 

No matter how pretty, autumn’s falling leaves are not welcomed by their aquatic neighbors. If they fall or are raked onto the street, they will get washed into storm sewers and carried into our lakes and streams. As they decompose, phosphorus is released (the nutrient that turns our lakes and rivers green with algae) and oxygen is removed from the water.

Submitted by Barbara J. Huberty, from the City of Rochester, Public Works Department.
Monday, June 11, 2007

In three years, the new look of the native plants will be something like this.
Photograph courtesy of the Kestrel Design Group.

Park users that enjoy the trail around Silver Lake may start noticing some unexpected activities this week. Prairie Restorations, Inc. (PRI) has started the construction of the shoreline buffer of native vegetation that, once growing, will help reduce water pollution entering Silver Lake. The plants, shrubs, and trees will act like a filter to clean storm water that flows overland, into the lake.