What if we use plants and trees to clean up our environment? Below are several links that explain how we can play an instrumental part in keeping our earth, water and air cleaner. McCullough’s Tree Service plants trees, we can help you do your part in taking care of residual waste!

Outdoor air pollution is a serious environmental health risk linked to both chronic and acute health conditions, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory infections.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ambient (outdoor) air pollution in both cities and rural areas caused an estimated 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012, the majority of which were due to heart disease and strokes.

As WHO noted:²

“Most sources of outdoor air pollution are well beyond the control of individuals and demand action by cities, as well as national and international policymakers in sector like transport, energy waste management, buildings and agriculture.”

This is largely true, but there is one environmental change that could have a dramatic influence on air pollution, and its effects on human health, independent of these other factors, and that is planting more trees (especially in urban areas).

A new study actually quantified the benefits to human health from trees’ impacts on outdoor air pollution, and they were quite remarkable.

Trees save close to 1,000 Lives, and billions in health costs each year

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/16/trees-remove-air-pollutants.aspx

Soak Up the Rain: Trees Help Reduce Runoff

Trees are valued for the beauty and many other benefits they bring to our landscapes and neighborhoods. Trees are increasingly recognized for their importance in managing runoff. Their leaf canopies help reduce erosion caused by falling rain. They also provide surface area where rain water lands and evaporates. Roots take up water and help create conditions in the soil that promote infiltration.

https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain/soak-rain-trees-help-reduce-runoff

The importance of wetlands has changed over time. Wetlands serve as transition zones between aquatic and terrestrial environments and provide a dynamic link between the two. Moving along a gradient, water picks up chemicals and sediments which, as they move through the wetland, are transformed and transported to the surrounding landscape.

http://fourthcornernurseries.com/the-use-of-aquatic-plants-to-treat-waste-water/

Here’s a great idea for Valentine’s Day. Plant a tree in honor of your wife or husband to celebrate the most romantic day of the year. Explain to him or her that when the tree is big enough to create shade, that you will share a picnic lunch or dinner under the tree.  Share your ideas for decorating the tree for Christmases in the future. Take a selfie in front of the tree. Have a family picture shoot with the tree. If you haven’t had children yet, share your idea to have a photo of each of your newborn children with the tree.  When the tree grows large enough, be sure to hang a swing on a branch for lots of fun and laughter for many years to come. If you want to take it one step further, buy or build a great birdhouse or bird feeder to hang on a branch as another gift. To some, this might sound like a “sappy” idea, but I guarantee you that he or she will think of you every time they look out the window, sit in the yard or mow around that special tree. Talk about a gift that will last forever…a tree is top on the list!