Sustainable Residential Design: Increasing Energy Efficiency

Residential and commercial buildings use ten percent of U.S. energy.
Sustainable residential landscape architecture can dramatically reduce energy costs over the long term while creating a healthy residential environment.
The energy efficiency benefits of sustainable landscape architecture practices, including age-old practices like tree siting for shading, can be further leveraged through the use of clean energy technologies, like solar power.

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A Great Return On Investment

Trees are an easy way to increase a neighborhood's economic value and psychological well-being. Trees increase the property and resale value up to 15 percent higher than properties without trees. In addition to economic benefits, trees have a positive psychological effect. Views of nature reduce the stress response of both body and mind, reducing aggression and increasing calm. People with views of nature from their work environment are less frustrated, more patient, have greater enthusiasm for their job, better health, and overall a higher life satisfaction. Hospital patients with a view of trees need less medication and have faster recovery times following surgery. Children who have access to green space consistently perform better in school. Exposure to nature has been shown to reduce the effects of Attention Deficit Disorder.

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Can Nature Make People Nice?

A new study argues that paying attention to the natural world can cause people to feel better and behave better. Viewing nature has health and social benefits. 370 test subjects exposed to natural environments valued community and close relationships and were more generous.

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Economic Stimulus Opportunities

ASLA has produced a guide to economic stimulus opportunities that outlines U.S. federal government stimulus opportunities for landscape architects and other design professionals. Federal opportunities are organized into the following sections: transportation, water, sustainable design, climate change, small business, and government procurement.

Full article

Wasps used to monitor emerald ash borer - UPI.com

Maine has developed an early-warning system to spot infestations of the emerald ash borer beetle. Because the invasive beetles are nearly impossible to detect in trees before it is too late, thousands of volunteers with nets are catching wasps who may be carrying captured ash borer larvae back to their young.

Full article

Fall IS For Planting

With the right kind of weather, Fall is the ideal landscaping season. The early fall soil is usually warmer and mor workable than spring soils, and there can be more time to work outside. Cool air helps the plants avoid stress, and rains are usually just enough to povide moisture but not too muddy. Plants are slowing down and preparing for winter, and respond well to transplanting...

(click here for complete article)

Plant Native - Save Water!

Native trees use half the water of non-natives according to ecologists.
read the full article here

More information on plants native to Northern Illinois & Southern Wisconsin

Electric Trees

Did You Know ... There's enough power in trees for to run an electronic circuit.

Full article

Database for Conservation Easements

A collaborative initiative to create the first national database of conservation easement information will provide a comprehensive picture of the estimated 40 million acres of private lands that have been voluntarily protected for future generations of Americans.
Conservation easements are legal agreements voluntarily entered into between landowners and conservation entities (agencies or land trusts) for the express purpose of protecting certain societal values such as open space or vital wildlife habitats. Full article

See also:

May and Charles Beeson Farm Protected by Conservation Easement

Illinois to receive $2.8M stimulus for forests

"Illinois will receive more than $2.8 million in federal stimulus money for forest health protection projects.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the funding Wednesday. Two projects in Illinois are among 78 projects selected for funding in 30 states.
The money -- nearly $89 million nationally -- will go toward restoring health to forests on federal, state and private lands in areas recovering from fires, forest insects and disease outbreaks.
The Forest Service's recovery Web site says specific projects in Cook and Kane counties will be selected by the state of Illinois."

chicagotribune.com

Livable Communities Resource Guide

"ASLA created a new online resource guide on livable communities. The guide contains lists of organizations, research, concepts and projects related to livable communities, and includes sections on: sustainable land use, place making, green schools, sustainable housing, sustainable employment growth, and health, safety, and security. Developed for students and professionals, the resource guide contains recent reports and projects from leading U.S. and international organizations, academics, and design firms."

Livable Communities Resource Guide

The Economic Benefits of Parks

The economic benefits of urban parks shouldn’t be underestimated. A 2003 study found that real estate values were higher on blocks closest to well-maintained parks. A 2007 study found that New York's Central park accounted for $395 million in economic activity. Parks also have environmental benefits and provide valuable ecosystem services.

Full article

Can Urban Trees Reduce Crime?

New research suggests that trees can reduce crime. The study found that buildings with high levels of greenery had 52 percent fewer crimes and medium levels of greenery had 42 percent fewer crimes when compared to buildings with no greenery. The study also found that students perform better when surrounded by trees and children with attention disorders can minimize their symptoms by spending time in green spaces.

Full article

Green Community Makeover Movement

Hundreds of contractors, distributors, and retailers installed more than 25 sustainable landscape projects July 17-18 during the first-ever Extreme Green Community Makeover in Sugar Grove, IL. The event was the prototype and official launch of Aquascape’s “Green Community Makeover Movement.”

Read the article

Greenroofs Save Water

Greenroofs can make your city more environmentally friendly. Many American cities are beginning to incorporate them into their planning ordinances because they recognize that, planting a rooftop garden can offset heat, increase city biodiversity and decrease stormwater runoff. Studies show that a greenroof can retain from 30-75 percent more water from storms than a building without one. Read the article

Food for Thought...

3000 years ago, not only did the Maya people practice forest management, but when they abandoned their forest conservation practices it was to the detriment of the entire Maya culture.
Read More

White Pages Look To Go Green

"Each year, an estimated 5 million trees are cut down just to publish the White Pages phone book. It's hard to cut down on the environmental harm because many states require phone companies to publish and deliver white pages phone books to every landline subscriber. On Wednesday, Whitepages.com, an online directory, released a survey of 1,000 adults showing the great majority of people want laws to allow people to 'opt-in' if they want a hard copy of the white pages."

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New Remote Sensing Technology Utilized in Wisconsin

For the first time, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a cutting-edge remote sensing technology, was applied to a species-specific forestry application.With the support of RFP Mapping LLC and its partners, David Sivyer, Forestry Services Manager for Milwaukee, WI, was able to map all of the ash trees within his jurisdiction.
WDNR

Press room

Introducing our new Press Room!
This is where you will find links to press releases, articles and information about where you can find us 'In The News'.

Would You Rather...?

Which one would you rather see out your living room window?

An article in the Green Inc. Blog (New York Times), discusses the idea of building synthetic trees (with a price tag of over $30,000) to scrub CO2 from the air.
My question is: What's wrong with the real thing?

Legislation

American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009
This Act, passed by the House of Representatives, is comprised of two separate pieces of legislation focused on using trees and green roofs to reduce energy use–

1. The Energy Conservation Through Trees Act - This legislation assists energy companies in planting shade trees to reduce energy usage.
   
2. Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act - This legislation establishes energy efficiency standards for residences under the jurisdiction of HUD, requiring they build green roofs, plan for green space and tree canopy cover.
   

ASLA - The Dirt article

Alliance for Community Trees article

Green Communities Act
This Act would authorize $120 million in funding for community based greening in cities.
Alliance for Community Trees article

Green Tech - July Report

Plants are an investment in the health of our global environment as well as individual property values. Proper handling can insure a healthy return on investment. From digging to planting, every step in the transplanting process is important.

We prepare our trees for their trip to your landscape long before we dig them, with periodic transplanting and root pruning to maximize the roots in the soil ball. Our clay loam soil maintains its shape during handling. We minimize hardship on the rootball with efficient procedures during harvest and loading.

There is a direct correlation between careful handling and a tree's survival...Just one more reason to buy locally and keep your plant purchases close to home.

Why Some Newly Planted Trees Die: Stresses During Handling And Transport Affect Tree Health, Survival

-Mary T. McClelland- GreenTech

OUR GREEN TECH TEAM
If you have a concern about plant needs, pests, siting or general plant health, we can help. We offer a site-visit service for any questions about how our plants are doing in their new location.
We provide Green Tech service at no charge. To make an appointment give us a call or fill out the online form for more information.

Rooftop Forest

Five stories above the streets of Manhattan, Austrian pine and and dwarf mugo pine have transformed an urban rooftop into a northern forest. More than 100 25-35' tall trees were lifted onto the building by a crane. Resembling an unspoiled patch of nature, these trees improve storm-water retention, provide insulation, improve air quality and increase property value not only to itself, but also the taller buildings surrounding the unusual view.

Original Story

NYC’s Living Tree Museum

Artist Katie Holten created the Living Tree Museum, which includes 100 selected trees on the stretch of boulevard that connects Manhattan to the parks of Northern Bronx. Each tree is labeled with its name in English, Spanish, and Latin, and tagged with a number to dial in order to hear that tree’s story. Holten selected professors, activists, geologists, and landscape architects to tell each “tree-story.”
Majora Carter, an environmental justice activist, recorded a “tree-story” to tell people: “You don’t have to leave your neighborhood to live in a better one, and trees are an important part of making that happen.”

Full Story

Native Plants Bring Wildlife To The Garden

"Many ornamental plants common to American yards are exotic species that local bugs haven't evolved to munch on. In his book Bringing Nature Home, entomologist Doug Tallamy encourages gardeners to invite bugs, birds and other wildlife back by planting native species." NPR

Chicago Gateway Green

100 Trees
On April 25th, nearly 150 volunteers, led by Gateway Green planted 100 trees on two empty lots at 25th & Lowe. Mayor Daley spoke at the event of the importance of greening the city.
View a video of the planting day.

Breakfast with the Mayor
This year's Chicago Gateway Green 'Breakfast with the Mayor' celebrated 10 years of greening Chicago's roadways and the launch of their Tree Partnership Program.

Agricultural Aromatherapy

Lavender Oil As Natural Herbicide?
According to the International Journal of Environment and Health, research suggests that essential oils from lavender could be used as a natural herbicide as an effective alternative to toxic chemicals.

Global Reforestation

The World Resources Institute (WRI), working as part of the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration (GPFLR), has released a map outlining current worldwide forest cover. Forests once covered almost twice the area they do today and only one-fifth of the world’s original forest cover remains in large, unspoiled tracts.
Reforestation of degraded forests and safeguarding intact forests benefits our planet in many ways, including reduction of climate change.
Read the article

What we are doing:
Project Quercus
Conservation Easement
News Room

Here’s what you’ve been waiting for...

... A Tree Owner’s Manual, an excellent summary of tree care. Afterall, what’s the point of planting a tree if it doesn’t live?

Get your copy quickly and pass the word. Download the manual here:

http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/detail.cfm?id=9573

Local nurseries know northern Illinois best

Just because a plant is hardy to your area doesn't insure that it will survive and thrive. Trees grown locally have been acclimated to your specific region. Trees brought in from a warmer climate could struggle with colder temperatures and differences in soil conditions.
Read Bruce Spangenberg's article in the Northwest Herald
Links
Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois
Chicagoland Grows

The Value of Trees

The benefits of trees in a community is widely known within forestry and tree-planting groups, but tough economic times could end the funding for urban forestry programs. A piece by John Rosenow,The benefits of Arbor Day last all year round, explains why this could be more costly in the end:

"In cities, trees serve as green infrastructure, providing immense value from a modest investment. Trees help clean the air and water, mitigate storm-water runoff, increase property values, and conserve energy – all the while improving the quality of life for residents. The fact is, trees are rare components of a city’s infrastructure that actually increase in value and service over time.
As municipal budgets become stretched, cutting corners on infrastructure expense such as tree planting and pruning may seem attractive on the surface. But the reality is cutting investments in these areas cost dearly over time.
History shows that when civic and national leaders make planting and caring for trees a high priority, it strengthens and adds value to the entire community."

Read the whole article:
The benefits of Arbor Day last all year round by John Rosenow

Foliage Field Guides for Cellphones

A team of researchers has developed electronic field guide software for iPhones and other portable devices that identifies tree species based on the shape of their leaves. The software compares a photo to a library of leaf images.

Read the article here

Forests Provide Climate Change Help

Temperate forests in eastern North America are soaking up greenhouse gases and are storing only part of their potential, according to an article published in 'Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.' The study compared the carbon held in forest trees of Wisconsin, historically and present-day.
More Information:
http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refID=105795
http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refID=105794

Transforming Carbon Waste Into Fuel

Regulating carbon dioxide emissions will probably result in the CO2 being sequestered underground. But one alternative could be to recycle the carbon by turning it into liquid hydrocarbon fuels by taking hydrogen and combining it with CO2 to make fuels that would cut the demand for crude oil. In effect, the carbon would be used twice: the first time in a power plant and the second in a car engine.

Transforming Carbon Waste Into Fuel - NYTimes.com

Biomass energy 'could be harmful'

A study found that in some cases overall emissions of biomass energy could be higher than those of fossil fuels, especially where energy crops were planted on permanent grassland. The credibility of biomass rests on tough sustainability criteria.

More information

Long Live the Landscape!

In an article for Chicagoland Gardening, Mary McClelland writes about buying locally grown plant material. The benefits include dollars saved in the long run with healthier, stable, long-lived plants. A plant that thrives will reap benefits in beautification as well as resource and energy savings.

Long Live the Landscape! (full article)

Trees Help Cities Meet Clean Water Regulations

The EPA has identified over $300 billion for nonintegrated water supply and wastewater projects for U.S. cities in the next 20 years. Those funds can be leveraged to solve multiple problems and improve the quality of life of urban residents by incorporating green infrastructure and strategically-planted trees in building and landscaping designs.
Tree cover in urban areas can not only reduce cities' costs for stormwater management but also help them improve water quality, offer shade, scrub the air of emissions and reduce ambient temperatures. Landscape architects and engineers need to think of the soil and the trees as mini reservoir systems designed to filter water and air.
More Information

Urban Forestry

Urban forestry is simply: trees in places where people live. Every day across the country the public is learning the benefits of planting and protecting trees. For example, did you know that more trees correlates with:
•Lower crime
•Cleaner air
•Energy savings

•More public revenue
•Higher property values
•More efficient stormwater management

More Information

Public Response to Roadside Landscapes

The latest research from Kathy Wolf focuses on shopping plazas and mini-malls and how trees support the success of retail districts. The study assessed public response to landscape and vegetation of small mall (re)development. A series of past studies indicate consumer behavior is positively affected by the urban forest. Respondents to her survey indicated a preference for landscaped roadsides and a willingness to pay 8.8% more at well landscaped malls.
More information

Gardeners Play Role in Reducing Global Warming

According to a report from the National Wildlife Federation, there are many things you can do in the garden that will help combat global warming. Removing invasive plants and choosing an array of native alternatives minimizes the threat of invasive species. Find out what plants are native to your area and encourage local home and garden retailers to carry them. Reduce water consumption by mulching, using rain barrels, watering only in the morning and using drip irrigation. Composting provides excellent nutrients for your garden, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and keeps the waste out of landfills. Planting trees near your home significantly shields your home from the elements, reducing energy use for air conditioning and heating. Shade trees can reduce air conditioning by up to 70%. A single tree can remove up to a ton of carbon dioxide, the gas primarily responsible for global warming, from the atmosphere in it's lifetime.
Resource: Gardeners Can Play an Important Role in Reducing Global Warming
Related Articles: Native Plants, A Word of Caution on Fertilizing Woody Plants Plants Native to Our Region

Resource guide for paper

"A new online resource guide for paper users in the US recommends that buyers should look for the FSC logo. The Environmental Paper Network (EPN) launched WhatsInYourPaper.com to assist and guide consumers and companies to use ‘environmentally superior paper’. EPN is a coalition of environmental organizations joined to support socially and environmentally sustainable transformations within the pulp and paper industry."

Full Article

MCN and Davey Deliver 'Tree of Life' to Legislators in Springfield: Elgin Day 2009

On Feb 26, 2009 Elgin leaders and citizens traveled to Springfield to encourage state representatives and senators to remember their 'Tree City' for capitol funding from the stimulus bill.

Volunteers delivered 200 Dark Green Arborvitae (Tree of Life), donated by McHenry County Nursery and distributed by DaveyTree, to the desks of legislators.

Trees and shrubs are an important part of any infrastructure planning, but are vital to an environmentally friendly 'Green' infrastructure plan.

For more information on the value 'Green' communities,
see our Street Smart article series.

Combating Climate Change with Landscape Architecture

"ASLA has produced a guide to the best online resources for landscape architecture-related climate change mitigation. The resource guide includes links to web sites focused on sustainable site planning, land-use, open spaces, stormwater management, green roofs, plant selection, and other areas."

Go to the resource guide

The Green in the Economic Stimulus Bill

"A key way to stimulate the economy is through the creation of a green workforce ... improving and restoring our nation’s landscapes. Rebuilding the green infrastructure as we rebuild the gray infrastructure ... urging our leaders to put economic stimulus package to work where it can do the most good for people and the environment."
The legislation gives government flexibility so they can quickly implement ‘shovel ready’ projects. Restoring the environment will also improve the local economies and the quality of life.
The final bill includes $500 million and should urban forest tree planting projects.
The legislation also includes Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) funding. Cities and counties should "consider shade tree planting as an easy, cost effective way to conserve energy around buildings. As few as three strategically-placed trees around a home can cut air-conditioning costs and energy use by one-half!"
Full Article by Deborah Gangloff - Executive Director of American Forests

Polycarbonate gets new life as crates

Polycarbonate is a material that’s plentiful throughout the green industry, and historically it hasn’t been recycled.
Green-Tek Inc., a plastic coverings fabricator in Edgerton, Wis., has replaced the oriented strand board (OSB) sides of its shipping crates with the used polycarbonate sheets, keeping them out of the landfill. Green-Tek customers can return their old polycarbonate sheets when they purchase new sheets.
Polycarbonate gets new life as crates

Green questions, answered

"If I use a lot of water rinsing out food containers before putting them in the recycling bin, am I really being eco-friendly? Or, am I doing the world a favor when I choose to use compact-florescent light bulbs? They’re energy-efficient, but also contain a trace amount of mercury.
If you’re looking for a fact-based, pro/con treatment of these kinds of issues, check out The Green Lantern department at Slate.com. Its columnists have tackled several topics near and dear to the green industry, like whether it’s better to buy a fake or real Christmas tree and which shade trees soak up the most carbon."

Project: Green Industry

Trees Absorb a Fifth of Carbon Emissions Pumped Out by Humans

"The journal Nature published a study that found nearly one-fifth of fossil fuel emissions are absorbed by forests across Africa, Amazonia, and Asia. Lewis found that on average the trees are getting bigger and absorbing more CO2, contrary to the theory that mature forests are carbon neutral as a result of the carbon absorbed by new trees being balanced by that released from old trees dying.
Dr. Simon Lewis, a Royal Society research fellow at the University of Leeds and author of the paper, added a 40-year study of African forests to existing data on South American and Asian forests, and concluded, 'Tropical forest trees are absorbing about 18 percent of the CO2 added to the atmosphere each year from burning fossil fuels, substantially buffering the rate of climate change.'The findings could be used to pressure world leaders to halt deforestation, Lewis said. "It's good news for now but the effect won't last forever. The trees can't keep on getting bigger and bigger," Lewis noted."
Alliance for Community Trees

Beeson's McHenry County Nursery - In The News

May's Delight Crabapple is featured in the January 2009 issue of NMPro magazine.

EcoStimulus

It's not too late to contact your Senators to urge their support of forest-friendly provisions of the economic stimulus package.
American Forests Forestbytes December 2008

Green Tech - February Report

In the midst of a winter with record low temperatures and ice storms causing catastrophic damage to structures and landscapes, a skeptic may say, 'What's all the fuss about global warming, this is the coldest winter we've had in the Midwest in decades!'

What we miss in this short term view is that global warming comes to us - not as a gradual change to balmy weather - but in the form of weather extremes and erratic weather patterns.
For more information or to see how you can help contact Staphanie Brown at the Illinois Forest Resource Center.
Also, make sure you visit our Research and Development blog for information on Winter Injury.

-Mary T. McClelland- GreenTech

OUR GREEN TECH TEAM
If you have a concern about plant needs, pests, siting or general plant health, we can help. We offer a site-visit service for any questions about how our plants are doing in their new location.
We provide Green Tech service at no charge. To make an appointment give us a call or fill out the online form for more information.

California Study Shows Shade Trees Reduce Summertime Electricity Use

"A recent study shows that shade trees on the west and south sides of a house in California can reduce a homeowner's summertime electric bill by about $25.00 a year.

Some of the study's key findings are:

• Placement of a tree is the key to energy savings. Shade trees do affect summertime electricity use, but the amount of the savings depends on the location of the tree.
• Trees planted within 40 feet of the south side or within 60 feet of the west side of the house will generate about the same amount of energy savings. This is because of the way shadows fall at different times of the day.
• Tree cover on the east side of a house has no effect on electricity use.
• A tree planted on the west side of a house can reduce net carbon emissions from summertime electricity use by 30 percent over a 100-year period."

ScienceDaily.com

Green Communities

Recently published "Planning the Urban Forest: Ecology, Economy, and Community Development" addresses the need for a green infrastructure approach and the means to incorporate trees into planning.
myapa.planning.org

New Resource Guide for Landscape Architects

"This resource guide offers links to some good resources geared towards landscape architects focused on business administration, marketing and communications, building new technology skills, and creating digital portfolios."

American Society of Landscape Architects

Green Collar Jobs

The Winter 2009 American Forests magazine featured an article about 'Green Collar Jobs', a term that has become increasingly common in recent years. Defined as 'blue-collar work force opportunities created by firms and organizations whose mission is to improve environmental quality' by Raquel Pinderhughes, 'Green Collar Jobs' seem to address environmental concerns as well as boosting our economy.
More information available at American Forests

Plants’ Rights

In September, Ecuador became the first country to extend constitutional rights to nature. The extent of nature’s rights is unclear, putting less emphasis on defending specific species than on the rights of ecosystems. Ecuador’s new Constitution may go as far as granting broad protections to simple life forms like algae and bacteria.

NYTimes.com

Key to Wisconsin Woody Plants for the iPod

A new tree and woody plant identification tool, developed by The University of Wisconsin's Dept of Botany, is available. The free software program can be downloaded to your iPod. Portable and easy to use, this guide contains all the states native trees and shrubs, as well as common exotic species.
Click here for More Information