Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants 5.6 Million Trees

Little Rock, Ark. -- The Natural Resources Conservation Service along with Arkansas landowners planted more than 5.6 million trees on 13,578 acres throughout the state in 2006.

Through the Wetlands Reserve Program, Arkansas farmers are taking marginal land out of production and turning it into wildlife havens while benefiting the environment. They planted more than 1.9 million trees on 6,568 acres in 12 counties.

The most commonly planted trees are nuttall, willow, water and overcup oaks; baldcypress; sweet pecan; persimmon; and green ash, according to Andrew James, a biologist with NRCS in Arkansas.

Other commonly planted trees include: tupelo gum; swamp chestnut oak; mulberry; shagbark hickory; pawpaw; button bush; sycamore; silver maple; bitter pecan; cottonwood; wild plum; and pin, shumard, cherrybark, white, bur and southern red oaks.

Another 3.45 million pine and hardwood trees were planted through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help control erosion, increase forest diversity and health and enhance wildlife habitat.  Landowners also planted 312,872 hardwood trees on 1,306 acres through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program.

On agricultural land, tree plantings slow the wind and provide shelter and food for wildlife. Trees can shelter livestock and crops; they are used as barriers to slow winds that blow across large cropped fields and through farmsteads. Farmstead and field windbreaks and tree plantings are key components of a conservation system. They also help prevent dust particles from adding to smog over urban areas.

But, trees aren’t just beneficial on the farm, they also add to the residential landscape!

Trees provide shade, clean air, habitat for wildlife and value to your property.

If properly located, trees can help control energy costs. A large shade tree planted on the southwest side of the house can provide cooling shade in the summer, helping reduce air conditioning costs. Once the leaves drop in the fall, the winter sun is free to warm your house on cold winter days. Evergreen trees, planted to block cold winter winds, can help reduce winter heating costs.

Planting trees also reduce greenhouse gases and address global warming. One of the greenhouse gases causing the most concern is carbon dioxide. Plants take this gas out of the air and use it in photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in the wood and living tissues of trees. When leaves fall and are composted, carbon is added to the soil. This improves the soil for plant growth and stores more of the carbon in the form of soil organic matter.

Studies have shown that trees and landscaping add value to property. Even if you do not intend to sell your property, trees can provide years of enjoyment. If you have trees in your yard, check to see that they are healthy. If they are near the end of their life expectancy or show signs of decline, you may want to plant new trees that will become established before the old trees are removed.

When selecting trees, consider what food value they may offer to the wildlife. While installing bird feeders will help attract birds, providing them with nearby trees and shrubs to escape danger, build nests, and obtain food, will be even more effective. Squirrels and other small mammals use trees for nesting sites and food sources.

Trees can offer years of enjoyment. Planting trees and watching them grow can be part of your family's memories. Consider planting a tree to commemorate a milestone in your family's life.

For more information on Backyard Conservation practices, contact the local conservation district or the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Or call 1-888-LANDCARE (toll free) for a free colorful Backyard Conservation booklet and tip sheets.

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