OUTDOOR CORNER: TREE CITY USA PROGRAM HELPS OUT URBAN TREES

Imagine a community with no trees. No buffer from the frigid January wind. No splash of color and sweet fragrance of blossoms for a spring stroll. No swirling, twirling helicopter seeds. No rustling of leaves on a breezy day. No shade from the July sun. No tree to climb. No place to hang an old tire for a swing. No nuts for squirrels. No brilliant colors on a crisp October afternoon. No piles of leaves to run and jump in.

In a state like Missouri where trees are abundant and communities green, it's hard to imagine life without trees. Most of us take our community's trees for granted and never stop to think about the amazing benefits they provide. Trees are responsible for benefits such as increased property values, reduction in heating and cooling costs, flood control, air purification, noise reduction, increased tourism, improved psychological well-being and of course, beautification.

For example, the U.S. Forest Service estimates that market values for homes are increased seven to 20 percent by the presence of trees. In a study in Chicago, the U.S. Forest Service has found that a single 25-foot tree can reduce annual heating and cooling costs by two to four percent, or $28 to $86 per year.

When a yard has several trees, the energy savings are increased proportionally. However, trees in cities and towns cannot be taken for granted because nationally our community forests are in a state of decline.

City trees face daily stresses their country cousins never thought about. Soil disturbance and compaction, air pollution, de-icing salt, vandalism, accidental injury and the threat of development are just a few of the problems which influence the health and well-being of our community's trees. Therefore, city trees require special care in order to provide the benefits we often take for granted.

Progressive communities have recognized the value of their community's trees and consider trees an important part of their community's infrastructure. For many such cities and towns the first step toward maintaining, improving and protecting their community's trees is participation in the national Tree City USA Program.

Tree City USA is a community improvement program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities. The Tree City USA program has two goals: (1) to recognize cities and towns that are effectively managing their community's trees and (2) to encourage the implementation of well-planned local forestry programs.

Nationally, there are 2,350 communities which have attained Tree City USA status. Regionally, Illinois leads the Tree City USA list with 145, Missouri has 34, Kentucky 28, Tennessee 24 and Arkansas 8. Local communities which are Tree City USA's include: Jackson and Dexter in Missouri, Carbondale and Mt. Vernon in Illinois and Paducah and Murray in Kentucky.

To qualify for Tree City USA, a town or city must meet four standards established by the National Arbor Day Foundation and its cooperators. These standards are designed to ensure that every community which has reached Tree City USA distinction has an established, viable tree management program and plan.

Yet the standards are obtainable by communities of any size. The four Tree City USA standards include: (1) A tree board or department; (2) a community tree ordinance; (3) a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita; (4) an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The benefits of being a Tree City USA are numerous. For example, public image is a very real benefit. Being a Tree City USA presents the kind of image most citizens want for the town they live or conduct business in. In addition, Tree City USA communities often receive special attention and assistance from the State Forester's staff in the form of education concerning tree care provided for city employees and the general public.

Tree city USA communities are given preferences over other communities when allocations of grant money are made for tree planting projects and other community forestry practices because granting agencies have more confidence in communities which have demonstrated their commitment to the trees in their community by becoming a tree City USA.

Finally, being a Tree City USA creates a sense of community pride. It is an accomplishment which communities can be proud of, and this pride often results in better care of trees on private properties.

Trees -- our silent citizens -- need our help. Tree City USA provides the foundation and framework necessary for a community-supported, successful forestry program. If you care about the trees in your town, take the lead and support, promote and assist your community in becoming a Tree City USA.

Rocky Hayes is an urban forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation.