TREES

What benefits do trees bring?

1. Scenic/aesthetic benefits...
Trees create scenic, beautiful settings. As such, trees enhance the value of real estate. In some cases trees raise the property value of a lot 20% compared to the same lot without trees. Nationwide, the Forest Service estimated that trees add an extra $5,000 per lot.

2. Shade and temperature control benefits...
When the sun beats down on barren concrete and black asphalt, cities rise in temperature creating "urban heat islands". Trees reduce the effect of urban heat islands, especially during the summer. When trees evapo-transpire they convert water to gas and absorb heat in the process, cooling the air. Trees reduce the need for air conditioning. Well-placed trees can provide shade and lower cooling costs by 10% - 50%. Trees can also serve as a windbreak, cutting down on the speed of breezes and diminishing wind-tunnel effects, resulting in lower heating costs during the winter. The result is that homes (or buildings) in tree-lined areas use less energy to make them comfortable.

3. Air quality benefits...
Trees act as sponges for various forms of pollution, absorbing gaseous pollutants into their leaf stomata and breaking pollutants down during photosynthesis. Trees also move carbon dioxide from the air by "fixingÓ carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. This cleans the air and improves air quality. A healthy tree can remove 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Ninety percent of the carbon that is fixed in solid form on the earth's surface is contained in the world's forests. By removing carbon from the air trees help alleviate the greenhouse effect. Because of this, the importance of urban forests extends beyond metropolitan and national boundaries affecting global climates.

4. Improved drainage for water cycle and erosion control/flood control benefits...
Properly planted trees also intercept, store, or funnel hundreds of gallons of rainwater and slow runoff through a labyrinth of leaves, twigs, and branches. Natural mulch acts like a sponge further lowering water's velocity. As a result, storm water reaches the ground more slowly and has a chance to replenish both surface and groundwater. Trees, especially riparian ones, can prevent runoff sediment from reaching water sources.

5. Habitat....
Trees also provide habitat for fauna. For the most part, native vegetation requires less maintenance and less water than exotic choices, and provides habitat which native birds and animals are familiar with. If there is the option of planting native vs. exotic vegetation, the native species should be given the first consideration.

WATER CONSERVATION

Supplies of clean, fresh water are declining worldwide due to global climate change and local droughts. California in particular needs water for its burgeoning population, billion-dollar agricultural sector, hydroelectricity and for all its environment.

The drought California experienced from 1987-1993 was a wake up call. Many conservation programs implemented at the time are still being continued. 2001 was the driest winter in California in six years and if 2002 proves to be a dry winter, experts warn that it will be difficult for water users all over California.

California, being the nation's most populous state, faces many complex water problems even without a drought. California's population reached over 35 million in 2001 and is expected to reach 47.5 million people in 2002. The demand for water is expected to grow more than 60% by the year 2020.

With the energy crisis of the past year, it is important to remember that conserving water also can mean conserving energy. It takes energy to move water from reservoirs to homes and to treat and heat water.

Many water agencies are implementing water programs through Best Management Practices. Some of these are highlighted below and include water audits, water metering, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, gray water reuse, landscape water surveys, and public information programs.

A "No Water Waste Ordinance" was put in place with prohibitions on runoff, watering paved surfaces, using hoses without shut off valves, serving water without requests at an eatery, and expanding landscapes except with drought tolerant plants. A 25% reduction in water use was required for indoor use and a 60% reduction for outdoor (landscape) use. Other prohibitions included prohibiting watering landscapes between 11 am Ð 4 pm and wasting water while washing vehicles or paved surfaces.

In some counties, 30% of water is lost to leaky pipes and/or a poorly maintained system. Leaks are the first water user on a system and they do not generate revenue. Therefore, efforts to reduce water loss through detecting and repairing leaks also reduce revenue loss within a system.

Leaks are problems for both commercial and residential water users. A federal study has shown that 1 out of 5 toilets leak. It is worthwhile to check meters at individual homes where water consumption has been greater than average. The cost of such programs usually runs between $7 - $10 per home.

Most domestic water use comes from bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms. Daily, homeowners waste approximately 33% of potable water for diluting water in toilets, sinks and laundry. People are literally flushing potable water away. The average person uses 75-90 gallons of water inside the house per day. Twenty-seven gallons are used for toilet flushing (the toilet is the number one consumer of potable water), 25 gallons for bathing and hygiene, 19 gallons for laundry/dishes, and 3 gallons for personal consumption.

The average toilet in older homes uses 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush (gpf). There are more water efficient toilets on the market now called ultra-low flow (ULF) models that use only 1.6 gpf. ULF's use an efficient bowl design combined with increased velocities to flush waste, rather than using large amounts of water. A toilet using 1.6 gpf saves about 8 gallons per person per day if it replaces a 5.5 gpf model. By switching to a ULF model, a household of 4 people with a standard 5 gpf toilet would save approximately 35 gallons daily and 22,000 gallons of water per year. In 1990 the City of Los Angeles estimated that toilet flushing accounted for 15.5% of the cityÕs total water. Replacing older toilets with new models could significantly reduce this percentage.

Low flow showerheads are mandatory in California and prices range from $3 - $40. Currently in California, the bathroom sink faucets that are being sold have a flow of 2.5 gallons per minute. More than 10% of all water used in the home is used in the washing machine. An automatic clothes washer, run at full cycle, uses 30-35 gallons of water. To conserve water with any washing machine, only run the machine with full loads and choose the short cycle. Dishwashers also are heavy water users requiring about 25 gallons for a full cycle. They, too, should only be run on a short cycle with a full load.

The average family home uses 30 gpd of water for landscape purposes most of the year, and up to 85 gpd during the summer. During these peak summer months landscape watering can account for up to 76% of an urban utilityÕs total water demand. Most users can reduce landscape water by 20% to 40% without having adverse effects to their foliage. The goal is not to do away with gardens and greenery but to maintain these areas in a way that is less water demanding.

Surveys show that half the summertime water is used by local homes. Xeriscaping is vegetation that needs little watering, unlike traditional lawns and vegetable gardens. Varieties of thyme, yarrow, verbena and chamomile can be perennial lawn alternatives. Even certain types of warm-lawn grasses, such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia and Kikuyu, require 20% less water than cool-season grasses.

Some landscaping plants, native plants and plants imported from other Mediterranean climates, use less water than traditional landscape options. Examples of low water plants include: Manzanita, Ceanothus, African daisies, Rosemary and Lavender, as well as trees like Oak and California Buckeye. Often native plants and wildflowers require only an occasional summer sprinkling and prevent problems associated with invasive species. The UC Extension has put out a guidance book classifying landscape plants by their water needs. This book is titled Water Use Classification of Landscape Plants, and is available on line.

It is important to remember that even low-water plants require initial watering to become established. As plants grow they become more established and need less water.

Irrigation for non-agricultural uses simply means bringing water to plants to help them grow in dry areas. Water conserving irrigation consists of applying water slowly and then allowing it to soak deeply into the soil where the roots can absorb it. Efficient watering methods alone can save at least 10 to 15% of the water used year round.

Drip irrigation systems are recommended as they provide less water per hour than other water systems. Drip systems have been shown to apply 30-50% less water than sprinkler irrigation systems in particular and still meet most plantsÕ water needs.

Even without timing devices, it is more efficient to water during the cool and calm parts of the day when it is less windy and there is less evaporation. Watering in the morning decreases chance of mildew.

It is important to check that hoses are completely shut off and that hose connections are not leaky. Soaker hoses, good for watering narrow planting areas, are low cost and easy to install from a hose bib.