So many trees in Cape May set our town apart from other shore towns. They are the crowning glory to our beautiful space. Below are five reasons to take care of our trees.
1. Trees clean the air and help you breathe by absorbing harmful carbon dioxide through photosynthesis; then releasing oxygen into the air. They also absorb odors and pollutants. “It’s estimated that one tree can absorb nearly 10 pounds of polluted air each year and release 260 pounds of oxygen”. This helps combat climate change. (From: Cape May Star and Wave — March 28, 2018)
2. Trees prevent soil erosion and rainwater runoff by their leaf canopies and roots.
3. Trees increase the beauty of your property and thus the value of your home.
4. Trees provide food and shelter for birds and animals.
5. Trees improve your mental and physical health. “A view of trees in urban areas has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and even the crime rate. Tree-filled gardens on hospital grounds speed healing in hospital patients”. (From: Cape May Star and Wave — March 28, 2018)
Take care of your trees by checking them regularly for dead branches, diseased leaves and bark, and for ivy/vines growing up the trunk.
Ivy/vines will strangle the tree, accelerate rot, attract mosquitoes, and cause mature trees to be more vulnerable during storms. Once the ivy is in the tree canopy it can block the sunlight from the leaves and the tree may not be sustainable. It is easy to remove this silent killer. Cutting the ivy/vines about three or four feet up the trunk from the ground will do the trick. This will cut off the food supply to the vines and they will die off at the top. You will have to check the tree annually and remove any ivy/vines that grow back.
If every property owner does his/her part, we will keep our city full of trees. It only takes minutes to save a tree; it takes many years to grow another one.
Thank you in advance,
The Shade Tree Commission
“Trees are very nice. They fill up the sky. They make everything beautiful.” (From: A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry)
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