Money may not grow on trees, but it can grow with them. USDA Forest Service research shows that healthy, mature trees can add an average of 10% to a property’s value. Besides enhancing aesthetics, mature trees offer a number of benefits to a property and community as a whole. Trees can reduce stormwater runoff, improve water and air quality, while also offering significant energy savings.

With many area communities and forests being affected by infestations such as the emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and oak wilt, planting trees to replace the blight-affected canopy has never been more important. The emerald ash borer alone will be responsible for over 10% loss of the region’s trees over the next 5-10 years.

Fortunately, our region is home to several organizations who have teamed up to form Taking Root, a campaign designed to replenish our tree population by setting a goal of planting 2,000,000 trees in the Greater Cincinnati area by 2020.

So whether you want to be green or just make some green, planting a tree is a great idea (and so is registering it here with Taking Root).

Remember, planting a tree is like a retirement plan:
You have to invest now, if you want to enjoy it later.