#trees ny

I am so excited to be taking the Citizen Pruner Course through Trees NY. Once completed, I will receive a license from the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation to legally prune and help care for street trees! 

The trees need us more than ever, especially because there are so many newly planted trees (thanks to the MillionTreesNYC Initiative) that need extra attention in their formative years. 

Why are street trees essential and beneficial for a big city, you ask? Trees enhance the quality of urban life. How?

- Trees add beauty and character - Trees soften the harsh and angular look of city streets - Trees, like all green plants, use carbon dioxide and release life-giving oxygen - Trees help clean air by trapping dirt, grit and dust, and by absorbing other pollutants  - Trees act as sound barriers - Trees reduce stormwater runoff from city streets, reducing the pollution of our local waterways - Trees screen unpleasant views - Carefully located, trees deciduous trees can save energy by cooling buildings in the summer and allowing solar heating in the winter - Trees increase community pride - Tees are important representatives of nature to city dwellers - Trees are home to wildlife  - Trees can increase the attractiveness of a home and studies have shown that trees can increase property values by up to 20%

(from Citizen Pruner Manual)