Reducing your carbon footprint can be as simple as caring for trees, says Edith Makra, arborist and community trees advocate at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
"Among the many benefits trees give us, trees store carbon and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," says Makra. One hundred mature trees remove 5 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere a year, according to the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project, a study created by Makra and others that examined the environmental impact of trees in the region.
Size and longevity are key. "A robust, long-lived large tree ties up more carbon longer than a small ornamental tree or a short-lived one," says Makra.
You can also reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing your home's energy use through landscaping. For quick results, shade your air-conditioning unit with shrubs or a small tree to help it run more efficiently when energy demand is highest, advises Makra.
Then, plant a large- or medium-size deciduous tree on the west side of your home to block the summer sun during the hottest part of the day. "It's the most strategic place in the landscape because it won't block any warming sun on the south wall that is so welcome in winter," says Makra.
For this purpose, plant trees with large leaves, few branches and an oval or spreading crown, such as Kentucky coffeetree, catalpa and London planetree.
"Carbon reduction along with diminishing the urban heat island effect and filtering pollution from the air make trees the ultimate way to go green," says Makra.
Nurture your trees and shrubs with proper mulching, watering during dry periods, judicious pruning and other good practices to help them live longer.
Laurie Casey writes for The Morton Arboretum in Lisle (mortonarb.org).