Trees

Many towns and cities in Australia are known far and wide for their trees. For example, the Jacaranda trees in Grafton and the Cherry Blossom Trees in Cowra. Both the residents and tourists appreciate their beauty. I, and many others, are disappointed that our Shires towns have few trees planted on nature strips and along streets and roads. Muswellbrook has the Tree Estate, with streets named after trees, but very few actual trees planted. (I won't go into where all the wine is in the Wine Estate.... ) Suitable street trees have the advantages of-

• They reduce the water table level and hence reduce soil salinity, which in turn improves the soil's ability to grow plants.
• They produce oxygen. We can assume a value of $1 a day for the amount of oxygen that a tree produces. A tree thus produces $365 worth of oxygen per year or a total of $36,500 over 100 years (and that's not allowing for inflation!)
• They act as a carbon sink, using up considerable quantities of carbon dioxide, thus reducing the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• they beautify the street landscape
• they provide shade in summer

I would encourage the Muswellbrook Shire Council to step up its tree planting program, obtain funding and sponsors to offset the costs, and increase the involvement of community members and groups in planting them. Lets us green our Muswellbrook Shire !