Preserve Your Environment Sustainability-SMART! Home
Plant a Tree
Trees help balance the effects of energy use and human activities:
- Leaves—Leaves capture sunlight and turn it into the energy the tree uses to grow. In the process, the tree absorbs CO2 and gives off oxygen.
- Bark and Wood—The outer bark protects the tree. The inner bark moves sap and water to where the tree needs them.
- Shade—Tree shade makes a nice place for people and animals to cool down on hot days.
- Roots—Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil, keep the tree stable, and store energy.
Mouse over the four leaf symbols on the tree to learn more.
- Plant a Tree
- Over 40 years, one tree will remove more than 600 pounds of CO2 from the air.
- A tree’s trunk and branches can help shield buildings from winter rain, snow, and wind so your heater doesn’t have to work as hard.
- In summer, tree shade can keep your home and car cool so you don’t have to run your air conditioning as much.
- Roots also prevent rain from washing away soil.
More than 15 billion of the world’s trees are chopped down every year. We can help offset this loss by planting trees near our homes and schools. Talk with your family about planting a tree in your yard or neighborhood, or find out about tree-planting and tree-care efforts in your community. |
