New Online Application at arborday.org Calculates Benefits of Trees

Nebraska City, Neb. (April 29, 2010) – Just in time for Arbor Day, the tree planters' holiday, you can discover the ecological and economic benefits of trees with just a click of a mouse thanks to a new online application available through the Arbor Day Foundation, developed by the Davey Tree Expert Company and Casey Trees. Before celebrating Arbor Day, go to www.arborday.org and discover just how valuable your tree is thanks to the new National Tree Benefits Calculator application.

The National Tree Benefits Calculator is the newest tool available to help people plant the right tree in the right place. It's also a simple, easy-to-use application that will determine the financial, environmental and health benefits of new or existing trees, and is available to use at the Arbor Day Foundation's Web site.

"This unique tool is a starting point for tree planters to understand the benefits that new or existing trees are adding to their community," said Dan Lambe, vice president of national programs at the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation. "This simple calculator will help tree planters make informed decisions about which trees to plant this year."

Anyone can use the National Tree Benefits Calculator. Simply go to www.arborday.org/calculator, type in the species of tree and the diameter of its trunk and press enter. You will receive a detailed report about the benefits of your tree. For example, a red maple tree with a 12-inch diameter planted in a single-family residence in Washington, D.C., provides $102 in energy savings, property value, air quality and more each year.

"For the first time, individual homeowners, schoolchildren or anyone with an interest in trees can easily access ongoing research that quantifies how trees improve the environment and our lives," said Scott Maco, Ecosystem Services Manager for the Davey Tree Expert Company. "People are aware that the choices they make have an impact on the environment and their pocket book – everything from the purchase they make to the length of time they run the air conditioner. The National Tree Benefit Calculator helps them to better understand how the simple act of planting or maintaining a tree can mitigate your carbon footprint, improve the air we breathe or save you money on your energy bill."

The National Tree Benefits Calculator was developed to give home owners, tree planters and citizens a tool to determine how trees benefit their pocketbooks, the environment and communities. It was developed to help everyone make better choices when selecting trees for their yard.

"There are groups like Casey Trees all over the country that work with volunteers and homeowners to plant trees," said Mark Buscaino, executive director for Casey Trees. "The National Tree Benefits Calculator helps communicate the benefits of these trees in real terms. We hope this information will inspire renewed tree planting efforts in cities nationwide."

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About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, conservation and education organization of more than one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.