News & Announcements
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Instead of toasting to your health, tree to your healthDoes an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Well, maybe not. However, eating healthy foods low in fat and calories and high in fiber, such as fruit from trees, is one way to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.
According to the CDC’s 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report, 34.2 million Americans, or about 1 in 10, have diabetes and 88 million adults, or 1 in 3, have prediabetes. The good news is new cases of adults diagnosed with diabetes significantly decrease from 2008 to 2018. The bad news is new cases of youth diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 has significantly increased.
As leaves change this time of year, it’s obvious that urban trees make our communities more beautiful, but did you know they also make our neighborhood streets safer? Streets lined with trees tend to encourage slower driving and statistically have less accidents than those without[1]. And it’s not just speeds that are lowered by their presence – they also contribute to lower stress levels in drivers, leading to less road rage[2].
Urban forests support mental healthAs the hilarious, award-winning Nature RX video series points out, spending time in nature is a potent “drug” for alleviating the day-to-day stress we all face. It is also a powerful way to combat anxiety, depression, and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. The average American is sorely in need of the stress-relieving boost provided by trees. Eighty percent of American adults are afflicted by stress; forty million are affected by anxiety disorders, and nearly sixteen million experience major depression each year.
Trees for Clean AirThis year, as families all over the country spend more time at home, we have been given the opportunity to appreciate the fresh air that we can enjoy on our own back porches and front stoops more than ever. Trees are a significant factor contributing to the quality of the air we breathe. Recent research shows that even relatively small trees bring benefits to their neighborhoods. Just a single tree has the potential to filter up to one third of fine particulates such as dust, dirt, soot, and smoke within 300 yards, and can reduce particulate matter inside homes by as much as 60%.
Trees bring good news for Summer!2020 has been quite the year already – from extreme weather to the pandemic to civil unrest, we could all use a break from stress and anxiety. As the days are now at their longest, and lots of sun is in the forecast, it is the PERFECT time to step outside and get some much deserved fresh air and exercise.
Illinois is Greening UpThe Forest Preserves of Cook County, in partnership with The Morton Arboretum, USDA Forest Service and Illinois Department of Natural Resources, just completed a “Tree Protection and Preservation Manual” to work alongside their existing “Tree Mitigation Plan”. This new manual was completed under the professional guidance of the Davey Resource Group.
The logic is simple: If A = B, and B = C, then A = C.
Halloween can be a really scary time, but what’s even more scary is waking up to hearing a large CRACK when your big beautiful shade tree fails and damages your home, car or worse. But there are easy ways to quell your anxiety and keep your investments safe.
Exposure to green spaces, including urban forests, not only help improve the attention function of students, but has also been found to contribute to increased academic performance. While research has continued to indicate the benefits of green spaces for health, such as decreased asthma prevalence [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] (Lovasi et al. 2008) or better concentration after activity in green spaces for children with ADHD [journals.sagepub.com] (Taylor and Kuo, 2009), trees in the schoolyard itself seems to have an impact on academic achievement. Multiple studies have shown benefits of local green spaces that cross economic and social boundaries, but availability of, and access to, green schoolyards is typically reduced/restricted in lower economic areas which, as noted, also provides health benefits.
The Case for ShadeOn a hot summer day, it’s hard to resist the shade of a large tree. Planting trees to create shaded spaces has been integral into planning parks, schools and university campuses, businesses, as well as around our streets and homes. When planted properly a mature tree can save a homeowner up to 20% on energy costs (Arbor Day Foundation). For homes without air conditioning, shade trees can make the home feel cooler during summer heat.