ARKANSAS, USA — While many cities in 5COUNTRY held events to celebrate Earth Day over the weekend, some honored the day by planting their own trees.
In addition to providing shade and increasing property value, trees improve air and water quality, support wildlife, and produce the oxygen we breathe.
“They're cleaning the air and they're cleaning the water,” John Scott, an urban forester with the City of Fayetteville said. “They're doing a lot of work for us."
When planting a tree, Scott said it is important to use good quality soil and ensure the roots have the right amount of space. The hole the tree is placed in should be about twice as wide as the root ball and should be deep enough to come up to the root collar, which is the bottom of the trunk just before the roots. He also said to separate the roots if they are bound, and make sure to remove any plastic or tags from the tree before planting.
As a rule of thumb, Scott said not to plant a tree within 10 feet of your house, even if it is a smaller tree. For larger trees, it is best to keep a distance of 20 to 30 feet.
If you want a low maintenance tree, Scott said to choose one that is ‘low litter,’ meaning it will not drop an excessive amount of fruit or nuts. He recommends choosing a spot for the tree that will optimize shade.
"Put them in a spot that will help you in the summertime when it's really hot and give you some shade and cut back on your utilities," Scott said. "It will help your pocketbook, and it increases your property value."
As for the right species to plant in the Natural State, Scott says Ozark and Northwest Arkansas native trees are the best choice, as they do well year-round and can be planted any time the ground is not frozen.
“They're acclimated for our climate the best, and they just perform well in our area because they've been here so long and they've adapted,” Scott said.
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