Make any day Arbor Day
by MATT CHANDLER

It was no coincidence that former Vice President Al Gore was in Buffalo to present his "Inconvenient Truth" about global warming on Arbor Day. As a day that has been set aside for more than 125 years for Americans to plant a tree, Arbor Day represents something that crosses political lines and unites America in a common goal: to beautify the earth while

Gardening at the same time working to combat the effects of global warming.

You may not consider yourself a "tree hugger" or "one of those environmentalist types," but the fact is there are several sound economic reasons why you should consider planting a tree (or trees) on your property.

Planning to sell your home someday? Whether they are purchasing a steak dinner, a new car or a house, Americans buy with their eyes. In the realty world, it's part of "curb appeal," the warm, fuzzy feeling home buyers get when they drive by a property for sale and fall in love with it before they ever set foot inside. It's real, and it can translate into cold, hard cash in your pocket when it comes time to close your home sale.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, "Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property's value." That's an extra $10,000 in actual sale price for your $100,000 home.

Maybe you don't plan to sell, but you get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when the electric bill arrives each month. National data from several studies indicate that strategic planting of trees on your property provides shade and cooling to your home that can reduce electric bills by up to 50 percent in the hot summer months.

Finally, there is what researchers call "the emotional benefit" of trees. A study conducted at Texas A&M University indicated the presence of trees as part of a home setting can help people "significantly recover from stress." Trees, much like gardens, promote calming relaxation and overall healthy living.

On top of all of these individual benefits, there is still the core of Gore's message: the earth is being overcome with carbon dioxide, and the effects, if left unchecked, will be devastating for generations to come. To that end, the USDA says a single tree planted in your yard will remove enough carbon dioxide and produce enough oxygen to achieve the cooling equivalent of 10 room-size air conditioners running 20 hours a day.

Why wait for next April to plant a tree? Now is the perfect time to plant in Western New York. So grab a shovel, and take the first step toward making a difference, one tree at a time.