The Value of Cape Trees

By Al Todd

When we moved to Cape St. Claire over 30 years ago from the mountains of California, we were looking for a community that felt like a healthy place to live and raise our kids.  We were attracted to the Cape the first time our realtor brought us here.  We liked the diversity of houses, walkable streets, schools and shopping center, the access to the water and beaches, and the sense of both old and new that speaks to a stable community.   But the other thing that really sold us were the TREES!

I admit I love trees.  They are truly one of the most amazing creations on earth.  Whether the massive strength of an oak, a unique bald cypress, a dogwood in bloom, a sugar maple in the fall, the showy magnolia, or the grand statement of bark and leaf that is the sycamore. 

On some level, I think most people appreciate trees and forests.  They appreciate their beauty, or as a place for wild things to live, or for shade on a summer afternoon.   But most people underestimate the value of trees in the environment and in their daily lives.   Trees and forests are much more than just scenery, landscaping, or a nice place for a picnic or walk.  Trees and forests work for us every day,

I once read (and often repeat) this hypothetical question.   “What if we asked our best engineers to build a machine that could filter pollution from air and water, suck CO₂ out of the atmosphere and store it for 100 years or more, cool our homes and cities, and reduce our energy consumption AND this machine would need to do all these things without using any fuel, have a minimal cost to maintain, and could be delivered in so many colors and sizes, that everyone would want one installed in their neighborhood?”  Well, you get where this is going….it would look like a tree!  

But let’s not miss the forest for the trees.   The health of the Chesapeake Bay is tied in part, to its trees and forests.  Pollution increases when the amount of trees and forests decreases in a watershed.  With the trees canopy of leaves and branches, its understory of small trees and shrubs, and a ground surface of deep organic litter, it is easy to understand why forests are nature’s best tool for taking care of the land.

Trees break the impact of intense rain and serve as an umbrella protecting the soil below.  They essentially serve as a giant sponge – absorbing rainfall and allowing it to infiltrate slowly, recharge groundwater and slowly feed our streams throughout the year.   I challenge you to go out in the woods during a heavy rain…you will rarely if ever see any water running off.

Right now about 60% of the Chesapeake Bay watershed is covered by trees but believe it or not, we are losing forests to development at a rate of nearly 100 acres each day.  So when you are driving down Cape St. Claire Road or along Hampton Road, take a moment to marvel at the giant oaks, poplars and maples that grace our community.  Thank those trees for all they do including saving us all money on our summer electric bills and adding to our property values.  And the next time you complain about raking leaves in the Fall, take a moment to consider all the work those trees are doing for you every day….for free!