by Amy Allen
The Park People – a local
environmental nonprofit that advocates for Denver’s parks, recreation resources
and urban forest – is gearing up for its annual tree distribution effort. This
tree distribution effort, aptly named Denver Digs Trees, provides Denver residents with free or low-cost
trees for planting in the public right-of way.
The Denver Digs Trees
program addresses Denver’s critical need to expand its urban canopy and is the
only city-wide tree distribution program. Denver’s current canopy coverage is
10.4 percent; recommended urban canopy coverage guidelines for U.S. cities west
of the Mississippi is 25 percent (Time Magazine, 6/21/07).
Denver Digs Trees – in
partnership with the City and County of Denver, numerous local community nonprofits
and neighborhood groups – is working to address this deficit in our urban
canopy. Since its inception, the program has added over 35,000 trees to
Denver’s urban forest.
Residents benefit from Denver Digs Trees in numerous ways. Planting trees improves the
quality of Denver’s air. Fine-particle (particulate) pollution is linked to
heart disease, lung disease, asthma and poor lung function among children and
annually results in thousands of premature deaths. Increasing the city’s tree
canopy increases the leaf surface area that can capture and trap
particulates.
Strategically planted trees can also reduce energy costs for
heating and cooling. In addition, healthy, mature tree canopies intercept storm
water, reducing the impact on overtaxed city drainage systems. Increasing tree
canopy in neighborhoods does not simply provide environmental benefits, but
also substantial economic (higher property values, increased retail activity)
and social benefits (lower crime rates).
This year, Denver Digs Trees offers 10 different varieties of trees for
interested Denver residents. The 2009 Tree Roster includes Bur Oak, Corinthian
Linden, Green Mountain Sugar Maple, Magyar Ginkgo Biloba, Regent Japanese
Pagoda Tree, Turkish Filbert, Green Vase Zelkova, Kentucky Coffee Tree and two
smaller ornamental varieties – the Winter King Hawthorn and the Summer Splendor
Tatarian Maple. The deadline for submitting an application for a street tree is
March 16, 2009. Trees will be available for pickup at a distribution site on
Sat., April 18.
On average, each tree
costs The Park People over $100; thanks to program sponsorship, trees will be
available to most Denver residents for just $25. In 21 of Denver’s
neighborhoods – neighborhoods which are significantly undercanopied, street
trees are offered free of charge. These neighborhoods include: Baker, Barnum,
West Barnum, Chaffee Park, Clayton, Cole, Elyria-Swansia, Five Points,
Globeville, Jefferson Park, Lincoln Park, NE Park Hill, Ruby Hill, Skyland,
Sunnyside, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, West Colfax, Westwood and
Whittier. For more information, or to receive a street tree application form,
contact Program Manager Robert Bond at 303-722-6262 or e-mail
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