Strengthen Yard and Community by Planting a Tree
(Hampton Roads, Va., October 25, 2023) – In yards across Southeastern Virginia, fall lawn care is underway with signs of soil testing, seeding lawns, mulching plant beds and tidying up to prepare landscapes for the cooler months. Another task to consider that will improve the ecosystem and provide beauty for years to come is to plant a tree.
“Trees are one of the most economical and beneficial ways to add beauty to your yard,” said Rebekah Eastep, a team leader with askHRgreen.org. “All we need to do is plant and care for them. They manage the rest and will be here for generations to come.”
According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, the late fall and early winter are optimal times to plant deciduous trees, which shed their leaves while the tree is dormant. This gives it months to re-establish a root system before the heat of the following spring and summer.
Red Bud trees grow well in Southeastern Virginia.
Trees as ecosystem and community assets
Trees benefit the ecosystem by providing:
Shade and shelter for animals and humans, while adding to the region’s tree canopy
Essential habitats for pollinators, mammals, birds and butterflies
Soil stabilization, preventing rapid run-off of rainwater and reducing the speed of tidal current flow
Climate control, providing a wind break and reducing the cost of air-conditioning when planted in strategic areas around your home
A bounty of leaves, flowers, fruits and nuts
Natural air cleaner, absorbing odors and pollutant gases
In addition, trees generate tangible benefits to neighborhoods and communities, according to Cory Swift-Turner, a communications specialist for the Virginia Department of Forestry.
“A tree’s shade can reduce temperatures by up to 9 degrees, their roots reduce flooding and their leaves function as air purifiers,” said Swift-Turner. “Studies have shown forested neighborhoods have reduced asthma rates, and that just spending a few minutes among trees can lower blood pressure and boost mood.”
These benefits significantly decline each time a tree is removed from the community. Though the loss of one tree may not be immediately evident, it is felt as other trees begin to fail or when several trees are removed.
“Eventually, stormwater fails to drain, erosion gets worse and walks with the dog, which used to be a comfortable, heat up notably with the loss of trees,” Swift-Turner said.
Native trees, which are acclimated to local climate and conditions, are good choices. In Southeastern Virginia, trees to consider include River Birch, Eastern Redbud, Flowering Dogwood, and Loblolly and Virginia Pine trees. Others, such as Bald Cypress, Magnolias and Live Oak, thrive in Coastal Plain regions. Evergreens do best when planted in late winter or early spring.
A complete listing of trees and native plants conducive to growing in Hampton Roads is available in the Native Plants of Southeastern Virginia* guidebook available for download at this link.
“Planting a tree is one of the easiest ways to improve our environment and beautify our surroundings,” Eastep said. “It is the gift that keeps on giving.”
For more Earth-friendly landscape and gardening ideas, visit www.askHRgreen.org.
*The guide is produced as part of a coast-wide regional plant marketing initiative, coordinated and funded by the Virginia Zone Coastal Management Program.
About askHRgreen.org askHRgreen.org is your go-to resource for all things green in Hampton Roads – from recycling tips and pointers for keeping local waterways clean to water-saving ideas and simple steps to make local living easy on the environment. Launched in 2011, the region-wide public awareness and education campaign is administered through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and powered by the following members: The cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg; the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, Surry and York; the town of Smithfield; and HRSD. Like askHRgreen.org on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram, tune in to YouTube and catch the “Let’s Talk Green” blog, written by a team of local experts.
Media Contacts:
Rebekah Eastep, HRPDC Senior Environmental Education Planner (757) 420-8300; reastep@hrpdcva.gov
Elizabeth Evans, Red Chalk Studios (757) 705-7153; elizabeth@redchalkstudios.com