GREEN Tree and Lawn Professionals, Inc.

TAKING CARE OF NEW TREES AND SHRUBS
Newly planted trees and shrubs will lose as much as 90% of its root system
during the process of transplanting. Research shows that the recovery
process will take one year for every inch in diameter that the new tree is.  
There are a few things that you can do to help the tree recover from transplant
shock. Keep the soil moisture at an adequate level. In most situations 1 inch
of water per week is recommended, but can vary depending on the soil type
and conditions. A small shovel can be used to dig down a few inches to
check soil moisture, but care must be taken to avoid damaging the roots of
the tree.

Proper mulching also helps in the recovery process. Apply approximately 2-4
inch layer of mulch out to the drip line. Avoid resting mulch against the base of
the tree or shrub as this will cause damage to the tree.
Fertilizing of urban trees is often recommended due to the soil conditions.
Newly transplanted trees should not be fertilized immediately after planting.
However they should be fertilized approximately 1 year after transplanting. The
type of tree and soil conditions will determine when to fertilize and the type of
fertilizer to use.

VALUE OF TREES
Trees have value to us by both value of our home along with saving us money on our utility bills.  They also have other values to us that
are harder to measure such as carbon sequestration and reduction in storm water runoff.

In 2006-2007 a study was done on 3,479 houses sold in Portland, Oregon.  Each of these properties was evaluated by the number
and size of the trees in front of the house.  With the average tree being 27 feet tall and having a 15 inch diameter at 4 feet above the
ground, which added a value of $7593 to the house compared to houses without trees.  This represented a 2.4% increase in the
average sale price.  A 15 inch diameter tree added as much value to the house as adding 106 square feet of finished living space.

Trees that shade houses can also reduce the annual cost of cooling your house by up to 30% and reduce the cost of heating by
10-15% by slowing down the wind around your house.  Trees also have the ability to cool entire neighborhoods by releasing moisture
into the air and shading parking lots and roads which hold heat from the sun.Trees also clean up the air that we breath.  100 trees will
remove 5 tons of CO2, 1000 pounds of pollutants.