Illinois
COMMENTRY

Growing up on a farm in Illinois, I always had a fascination with trees and the environment. I was so fascinated that I graduated from college with a degree in forest management. Throughout my career, I have always been an advocate for trees. Today I continue that advocacy as the director of educational programs for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and executive director of the Utility Arborist Association (UAA). These two organizations have a primary mission of educating practitioners and their clients throughout the world on proper tree care and preservation.

Derek Vannice

As we approach Arbor Day, April 25, it is important to recognize the role trees play in our everyday lives. Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton, a man of great vision, who, while settling on the banks of the Missouri River in Nebraska, realized the important role trees would play in developing a pleasing home environment and in controlling the rigors of a harsh climate. All of us who grew up in Illinois know what a difference trees can make in protecting our homes from the cold winds of the winter and the hot summer sun.

Trees provide a variety of benefits to all of us. We like trees around us because they make life more pleasant. We often become personally attached to trees that we, or those we love, have planted. Trees provide a variety of environmental benefits. Trees moderate the climate, improve air quality, conserve water and harbor wildlife. In one year, a single, mature tree can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven 26,000 miles. Deciduous trees placed on the south and west sides provide shade and can lower air conditioning cost by 10-15 percent. Trees also provide economic benefits. Property values of properly landscaped homes are 5-20 percent higher than those of non-landscaped homes.

Trees need your help. Trees provide numerous benefits but also incur some costs. To function well in your landscape, trees require maintenance. Much can be done by the informed property owner. Corrective pruning and mulching will give trees a good start. Shade trees, however, quickly grow to a size that may require the services of a professional arborist. Arborists have the knowledge and equipment to prune, spray, fertilize and otherwise maintain a large tree. Your cooperative extension agent can recommend qualified arborists.

How many trees should you plant or care for in order to store the carbon emissions you'll be responsible for in your lifetime? Naturally, it depends on your age. If you are 30 years old, you will need to plant 120 seedlings. The sooner you begin the better. If you would like more information in regard to proper tree care and preservation, please feel free to contact the ISA. We have a complete series of consumer information brochures covering the following: Insect and Disease Problems, Mature Tree Care, New Tree Planting, Trees and Turf, Benefits of Trees, Tree Selection, Plant Health Care, Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts, Recognizing Tree Hazards, Why Hire an Arborist, Buying High Quality Trees and Tree Values. A single copy of each of these informative brochures is available free of charge at ISA, P.O. Box GG, Savoy, IL 61874 or through ISA's Homepage at http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~isa/.

This Arbor Day I encourage you to take the time to look at the trees around you and remember the vital role they play in our every day lives- Encourage your friends and family to plant and maintain trees. We will all benefit in the long run.

Derek Vannice is director of education for the International Society of Arborculture (ISA) and executive director of the Utility Arborist Association (UAA), Savoy, Illinois. Vannice earned a degree in forest management from Purdue University and a MBA degree from Ball State University. After eight years as a utility arborist and an active ISA and chapter president, he joined ISA in 1992. In addition to serving as managing editor of Aborist News and UAA administrator, he is the staff liaison for a certification program, is ISA marketing and public relations manager, annual conference educational program planner and exhibitor coordinator.

4 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING APRIL 1997