Trees enrich our desert communities in many ways

There are numerous ways to enhance a landscape, but one of the most effective methods is by incorporating native trees. Planting a tree not only creates an immediate visual impact with its beauty, color, and texture, but it also offers a range of benefits when planted and maintained properly. Trees provide social, communal, environmental, and economic advantages that positively affect our communities in various ways.

Trees provide shade and cooling. Trees mitigate heat and play a vital role in the desert, especially as our weather continues to warm a little more each year. They lower temperatures through shade and by transpiring water. One mature tree can create the same cooling effect as ten room-sized air conditioners. This serves as an effective strategy for reducing urban heat islands and hot spots in cities.

Trees help clean the air. Trees filter the air of contaminants and are proven to absorb carbon dioxide, which comprises over 80 percent of greenhouse gases in the US. Planting trees remains one of the cheapest, most cost-effective means of drawing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This helps contribute to our health and provides us with oxygen. Trees breathe in pollutants but then breathe out oxygen. One large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people. 

Trees can help us save energy. Having plenty of shade trees in your yard can help reduce your energy bill by allowing you to save on air conditioning. Carefully positioned trees can reduce a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling by up to 25 percent. 

Trees help clean our water. They act as natural sponges, collecting and filtering rainfall while slowly releasing it into streams and rivers, making them the most effective land cover for preserving water quality. The ability of forests to aid water filtration benefits both our health and the health of ecosystems, and it can assist in water treatment. Forests provide these benefits by filtering sediments and other pollutants from the soil before water reaches a source, such as a stream, lake, or river.

Now that we all have a better understanding of why trees matter , we need to recognize that they, unfortunately, do not last forever. Proper care will maximize their lives and make them healthier and stronger to withstand our challenging climate - survive the extreme heat and powerful monsoon storms - and prolong the life of the trees that play a valuable role in our communities.

Pick the appropriate trees. It is vital to select the right ones  for your yard, especially ones best suited for our desert climate. It is important to incorporate desert-adapted and low-water-use trees to better ensure they will survive and thrive in our arid climate while being water-efficient.

Have a plan. Proper planning  is a must before you do any planting. A plan will help ensure you reap all the benefits of adding trees to your landscape. Be sure to place them in the right space and consider their mature size. Planting them in the correct location will maximize benefits and minimize damage to your yard during monsoon season.

Proper planting and watering are essential. If trees are not planted correctly or watered adequately, their roots will lack the strength needed, making your trees vulnerable to damage. Understanding how to effectively plant and care for your investment, including suitable watering practices, is crucial.

The AMWUA cities recognize the significance of planting and maintaining trees within their urban landscapes to cool streets, buffer noise, and improve air quality. All AMWUA members exemplify how municipalities have long been committed to community forestry and have been designated as Tree City USA communities  by the Arbor Day Foundation  to honor their dedication. We can all contribute to creating a vibrant urban forest and collectively appreciate how trees enhance our health, yards, communities, and environment. 

For additional information, you can always rely on the expertise of your local conservation office  to learn more about regional programs such as the SRP Shade Tree Program,  which offers customers up to two free desert-adapted trees to plant in energy-saving locations.

For 56 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities’ ability to provide their communities with assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .