The idea of tree planting incentives is to plant more trees to restore the depleted soil and to protect the environment from further degradation. There is an urgent need for trees in arid climates and areas experiencing droughts and that’s why planting incentives are a good idea. It is believed that there are approximately 200 million acres of usable surface area in the United States that needs to be covered with trees. A tree planted in a designated area will attract birds, butterflies, rodents, insects and even humans.

Recent Studies Into The Effects Of Planting Trees

A study conducted by the Economic Research Service of the National Wildlife Federation found that “many Americans believe that their local community is missing an enormous opportunity to improve the community’s quality of life through the planting of trees.” Last year the forestry association of turkey stated that approximately half of the nation’s National Forested Area was suitable for planting trees. In 2021 it was found that more than half of the counties in the United States did not meet the planting goal for that year.

There is a problem, however, with planting trees in an area if there are no previous investments in the property to make way for trees. This means the investment in planting incentives will be very small. The problem is compounded if the previous homeowners did not make such an investment. This is where participation in the American Forests Certification Program comes into play. Participating states set aside funds through the Conservation Fund that are dispersed to land owners who want to plant trees on or adjacent to their properties. These funds can also be used to pay for the cost of clearing brush to make way for new trees.

A recent study conducted by the Cooperative Forest Management Association found that planting trees along with other types of preventative techniques can help reduce both direct and indirect costs associated with global warming. That’s because planting trees helps to cool the air by reducing temperatures. They shade the ground to help retain heat. And they act as a filter through which existing climate conditions can be improved by preventing precipitation and evaporation.

Taking Action On Planting Trees

In some cases, landowners might not have the financial resources to invest in planting incentives. However, the economic benefits cannot be ignored. For example, in Florida, a study showed that in areas that experienced tree-planting, there was a 40 percent decrease in the average temperature during winter, even as the average temperatures in surrounding areas were increasing. Scientists believe this cooling effect results from the trees’ ability to absorb solar heat. Similarly, in Ohio, tree planting incentives helped to reduce the loss of oxygen in large-scale forests, allowing those forests to recover from severe forest fires.

Tree planting is a win-win for landowners and local communities. Landowners benefit for two major reasons: they receive tax benefits and can improve their landscape. Secondly, planting trees helps to beautify the landscape. Trees can provide shade, improve water distribution, and add value to the property. Finally, planting trees helps to conserve valuable water.