May is a good time to plant a tree so it can establish its root system before the summer heat begins.
Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2)—a major contributor to global warming. In addition, tree roots capture water and release it slowly, decreasing rain runoff from yards, buildings, sidewalks and streets.
Rainfall runoff is a special problem in Pittsburgh because of our combined sanitary/storm sewers. Runoff from intense rainfall overpowers the system’s ability to treat sewage before sending it into a river. In 2018, an estimated 9 billion gallons of raw sewage and storm water were dumped into our three rivers.
Reducing runoff from hillsides by planting trees also can help prevent landslides. According to PennDOT, we had 90 landslides in Allegheny County in 2018.
See next month’s Environmental Tip for more information about native trees that thrive in Pennsylvania, and why it is good to plant them in your yard.