TREE ADVOCACY

Feb 12, 2025 | Gardening/Landscaping

By Lynn Kuhn | Special to Lake Panorama Times

Sugar Maple at Plant Life Designs, Van Meter, Iowa. Photo by Lynn Kuhn

I recently had the pleasure of presenting to members of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA). One of the many benefits of such an event is the opportunity to network and learn from like-minded professionals who share my love for trees. It was wonderful to connect, yet discouraging, as we compared notes on how trees are treated in the built environment in our respective parts of the country. The common theme was lack of tree advocacy. 

 

WHAT DOES A TREE ADVOCATE DO?

  • Raises awareness of the importance of trees
  • Works to protect and conserve trees, including advocating for policies that protect trees
  • Engages in tree planting efforts in the community
  • Donates time, talent and treasure toward these efforts

 

WHAT DOES LACK OF TREE ADVOCACY LOOK LIKE?

Improper Care

  • unnecessarily staking of a tree or failing to remove stakes
  • keeping tree wrap through the summer
  • lack of water during establishment
  • depending on lawn irrigation system to water a tree which creates a shallow weak root system
  • poor pruning-not removing broken/dead/twisted branches, improper pruning cuts, topping trees, removing low branches after they’ve grown too large

Lack of Tree Planting

  • Trees often do not get replaced when they die, especially on commercial properties managed by a third party.
  • Barren landscapes lacking diversity

Lack of Critical Root Zone (CRZ) Protection

  • compacted soil due to parked vehicles, storing construction materials, and adding too much soil or mulch, making it harder for shallow feeder roots to absorb water and nutrients
  • too much mulch or soil against the trunk, hiding the trunk flare

Crabapple Grove, Johnston, Iowa. Photo by Lynn Kuhn

Note: Many people mistakenly believe the CRZ is the area below the drip line, however, the roost system often extends beyond that. 

 

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ADVOCATE FOR TREES

  • If you own residential or commercial property, add trees where you can, especially large canopy trees for their ability to mitigate stormwater runoff. A typical medium-sized tree can intercept as much as 2,380 gallons of rainfall per year. Source: Center for Urban Forest Research, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Davis, California. July 2002
  • Use Best Management Practices to care for your trees or hire a reputable company (preferably with less staff turnover within the company). 
  • Support tree planting programs within your community by donating time and/or money. Some communities can find grants to get trees planted, yet struggle to care for them afterward.
  • Teach your children/grandchildren about the importance of trees. 
  • Search the internet for TREE STORIES FOR KIDS and you will see many wonderful options. 
  • When you see beautiful trees, thank the people responsible, whether that be at a business you frequent, or a residence you are visiting. Healthy trees take time and effort. 
  • Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the tree advocates who work to make the community a healthier and more beautiful place.

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. – Chinese proverb