PLANT A NATIVE TREE

When you plant a native tree, you give a gift to wildlife and the planet. You also invest in the future, because native trees are more likely to thrive naturally over time and to nurture local biodiversity.

As more and more land is cleared for human use, regional ecosystems and wildlife are under increasing pressure. Meanwhile, the trend toward monoculture gardening, in which the same, few species are used again and again, compounds that threat.

The typical suburban landscape dominated by grassy lawns, petunias and blooming trees may give the appearance of a green, healthy environment, but it does nothing to support the native insects, birds and other animals that were once indigenous to the area. Native wildlife evolved over time to rely on native plants and trees for food and shelter. Butterflies and hummingbirds, for example, depend on specific native plants for their food; take those plants away, and the beautiful wildlife disappears too.

Monoculture gardens tend to require a lot more maintenance in the form of watering, fertilizing and pest control than native ones do. They also minimize local character, which depends on native trees and plants for part of its charm.

• Plant a native tree! For a regional guide to the trees and plants native to your area, visit PlantNative or Organic Gardening. A guide to suppliers and local native nurseries is available at PlantNative.
• Go native with your whole garden! The more native plants you add, the more benefits you'll see. Native plant organizations often offer workshops and discussions of native plant gardening. For a list of regional native plant organizations and websites, search the Native Plant Information Network or the Plant Conservation Alliance.
• Encourage town planners where you live to plant native trees and plants in public spaces. Not only will these plants enhance local beauty and environmental health, they'll also reduce the need to spend city funds on maintenance. It really is a win-win proposition!