1. Trees conserve energy in the summer, and save you money. Properly planted trees can cut your air -conditioning costs by 15-35%.
2. Trees help clear the air. Trees produce the oxygen we breathe, and reduce air pollution by lowering air temperature through respiration and by retaining particulates.
3. Trees bring songbirds close by. Bird songs will fill the air as trees provide nesting sites, food, and cover for countless species.
4. Trees around your home can increase its value by up to 15% or more. Studies of comparable houses with and without trees place a markedly higher value on those whose yards are sheltered by trees.
5. Trees help clean our rivers and streams. Trees hold the soil in place and reduce polluted runoff into our waterways.
6. Trees conserve energy in the winter. Trees can slow cold winter winds, and can cut your heating costs 10-20%.
7. Trees fight global warming. As they grow, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the major contributor to global warming. Trees planted near our homes and in our communities moderate temperatures and reduce the need for air conditioning and heating produced by burning fossil fuels, a major source of excess CO₂.
8. Trees make your home, and your neighborhood, more beautiful. Trees mark the changing seasons, and add grace and seasonal color. Trees make a house feel like a home.
9. When you plant trees, you support Tree City USA where you live. Tree City USAs have community forestry programs to plant and care for trees. You can do your part.
10. It’s easy, and fun! Here’s how: Join the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation and we’ll send you 10 trees for free. Send a $10 membership contribution to 10 Free Trees, The National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, or join online at arborday.org.

Remember: Trees grow. Make sure you plant yours far away from power lines.