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24 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2018 Landscape Committee Even before I joined the Landscape Committee, I was a big fan of trees. Like many of you, one of the factors that influenced my decision to relocate to Four Seasons was the beauty of the trees in this relatively new development. But, aside from the esthetic benefit, what is the value of trees in an urban or suburban landscape? Horticultural websites list a variety of benefits associated with the presence of trees. Trees help to reduce air pollution and microfine particulate matter, a cause of serious respiratory health risks, by trapping these particles in their leaves and bark. Most of us can appreciate that they can help to reduce wind speeds (the idea behind agricultural windbreak plantings), but they also help to mitigate noise pollution by blocking and absorbing unwanted sound waves. Trees can substantially impact a local microclimate by reducing the "heat island" effect created by hardscape building materials that accompany development in urbanized areas. Additionally, they slow evaporation from ground level, helping to maintain soil moisture for use by other plants. By just doing their photosynthetic chemical reaction, they remove carbon dioxide from the air and exchange it for oxygen. Trees and other plants haven't consulted climate scientists, but still serve on the front line in the battle to combat climate change. A variety of trees in an area provide resources and habitat for an equally wide variety of wildlife that depend on them for food, resources, nesting sites, and the diversity of microclimates that they provide. A well-placed tree in your yard can provide all of these benefits and can help with energy costs as well by shading your house during the heat of the day. The city of Riverside offers free trees to homeowners each year to assist their utility company's bottom line. Of course, tree roots (though sometimes problematic to hardscapes) are very important in reducing soil erosion, and their depth helps to make trees more resistant to the stress of drought than many other plants. But, back to the original point about esthetics… the presence of trees have been shown to improve mood and reduce blood pressure for those lucky enough to enjoy a bit of urban forest in their neighborhood. So, the next time you're out walking through Four Seasons along a trail or along a landscaped sidewalk, enjoy the multitude of benefits provided by the canopy around you. The Landscape Committee will continue its efforts to enhance your experience! ~ Steve Stoecklein

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