We’re continuing with our series on the effects of grass on trees: Most of us only associate clean air with trees. Grass also cleans our air and is often overlooked. If you’re looking for guidance on how your lawn might be affecting your trees, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Dr. Sylvan Addink, a Certified Professional Agronomist, offered the following comment as part of his executive summary for – Trees Are Sacred, Grass Is Bad, Why? “History is dotted with examples of worthy causes which have been promoted by the use of questionable scientific data and assumptions.

Unfortunately, the errors are often uncovered after it is too late to correct the environmental problems which occur. In many urban water conservation programs there is a perceived difference in the benefits and costs of trees versus grasses. Trees are promoted while all types of grasses are restricted or targeted for removal. This perception is not fully based upon scientific fact but upon impressions and assumptions such as those we get when we see irrigation water running down the gutter in front of our homes each
morning.”

The following is an excerpt from:
Trees Are Sacred, Grass Is Bad, Why?
– Sylvan Addink, Ph.D, Certified Professional Agronomist Water Use of Trees Versus Turf

If efficiently irrigated, research data indicates that many trees require as much water, if not more water than grasses. Research by Dr. Devitt et. el. in Las Vegas, NV indicated that “During the active growing season, tree to grass (Bermuda grass/ryegrass low fertility) water use ratios in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 were observed.”

Evapotranspiration (ET) reflects the level of plant water use from both plant transpiration and evaporation. “Leaf area index (LAI), an important structural variable descriptive of vegetation, is directly related to evapotranspiration.”

Using Top Tree LLC
Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree stump removal needs in the Tri-Cities. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

We’re continuing with our series on the effects of grass on trees: Most of us only associate clean air with trees. Grass also cleans our air and is often overlooked.  If you’re looking for guidance on how your lawn might be affecting your trees, please don’t hesitate to ask.

An example of how some of these programs have evolved is evident by the “Cash for Grass” program introduced by the Victor Valley Water District in Victorville, California. In their effort to encourage water conservation they now offer incentives to homeowners who actually convert their natural turfgrass to artificial turf. 22 Of course, there are other numerous programs in different parts of the country that offer varied incentives to remove turf and replace it with native plants or plants considered more drought tolerant. In some cases trees are often encouraged but the use of turfgrass is discouraged. Could there be environmental consequences to such decisions? Why do some government decision makers view trees as being sacred and yet perceive grass as being bad? Perhaps it’s as much a matter of misinformation as it is education according to the Turf Resource Center.

Using Top Tree LLCTop Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree stump removal needs in the Tri-Cities.  All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified.  We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

Most people only associate clean air with trees. Grass also cleans our air and is often overlooked.  If you’re looking for guidance on how your lawn might be affecting your trees, please don’t hesitate to ask.

DID YOU KNOW

Trees & Grass Both Clean the Air – Turf Resource Center Did you know?

• To a greater extent than trees, turfgrass acts as an agent to purify contaminants and control soil erosion.
• Lawns are very efficient oxygen producers. They are about three times more effective than trees.  And, their season to produce oxygen is much longer than trees.
• Another almost counter-intuitive assertion comes from Ron Barnett of American Plant Food, who states that turf produces more oxygen per square foot than “anything else” and replacing it with a patio or a single tree would be a net loss to air quality.
• A typical 18-hole golf course produces enough oxygen to support 4,000 to 7,000 people. That means a state like Georgia for example, with its 430 golf courses, produces enough oxygen for more than 1 million people.
• While carbon sequestration exists on tees, it was not nearly as much as occurs on the fairways and greens, and the researchers are still investigating the reasons for this difference.
• A recent study has calculated that a mere ten percent increase in the amount of green space in built-up centers would reduce urban surface temperatures by as much as seven degrees. This seven degrees drop in temperature, which is equivalent to the average predicted rise through global warming by the 2080s, is caused by the cooling effect of water as it evaporates into the air from leaves and vegetation through a process called transpiration. “As the concern about global warming continues to escalate, local municipalities, state agencies and governments across the globe are attempting to address environmental concerns with the best of intentions. But some of their decisions, though well intended, may actually create unpleasant consequences in the not to distant future,” according to Turf Resource Center.

Using Top Tree LLC

Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree stump removal needs in the Tri-Cities.  All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified.  We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.