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Trees Help with Drought Mediation

Trees Help with Drought Mediation

by | Oct 5, 2026 | Blog

Trees, in addition to their many benefits for people and wildlife, also benefit their surrounding trees and native plants. Peter Wohlleben, a German scientist, believes that trees communicate with one another, and with native plant species as well. This is something that previously was disputed, but has since been gaining traction in the scientific community.

Wohlleben, along with other German scientists, has discovered that trees of the same species create a type of alliance and become dependent on one another. They form a connection through the use of mycorrhizal networks where the roots of trees connect to fungal filaments, allowing a form of communication between the trees. This fungal connection allows the trees to share nutrients and water, as well as alert each other about droughts, invasive insects, or other distressing events. This communicative system allows trees to learn from one another and change their behavior based on the event at hand.

When nearby trees are struggling, other trees will feed them sugar and other nutrients needed to survive. Having a network of trees to support one another will help ensure their survival and will promote the health of other native species planted nearby. In addition, when drought conditions are prolonged, trees have been able to access deep-water through their root system, allowing for extended survival in sub-optimal conditions. Trees will make adjustments to their growing periods in times of drought, conserving resources while attempting to access other sources of water.

It is important to have trees and native species in your community that can adjust to different weather conditions and maintain their health in periods of drought, or when faced with invasive species. Of course, it is always great to help your tree when it needs a little assistance, but the native trees GHEP provides are strong, sturdy trees that will benefit you over the years! Check out our Family Tree Adoption Program page to gain more information about this program and learn how you can participate!

Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-whispering-trees-180968084/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8457149/
https://www.forestsociety.org/something-wild/what-happens-trees-drought

Protecting the Earth: Trees are a Cost-Effective Solution to Climate Change

Protecting the Earth: Trees are a Cost-Effective Solution to Climate Change

by | Oct 1, 2026 | Blog

Trees have a wide variety of benefits that they offer, both to humans and to our natural environment. For example, trees improve our mental health, reduce energy use, reduce water and air pollution, protect us from the urban heat island effect, and create social and economic opportunities, to name a few. What all these benefits have in common is that they all contribute to minimizing the effects of climate change on our environment.

The energy that urban trees conserve is one of the most important factors in reducing our impact on the environment. Strategically placed trees can provide shade to buildings and alter the wind patterns, keeping the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. A single tree in an urban area sequesters 4.5-11 kg of carbon, but is responsible for avoiding the combustion of 18 kg of carbon annually, accounting for reduced energy use in addition to the carbon sequestration. This makes one urban tree equal to the impact of 3-5 trees in a forest. With such a prominent impact on our environment, the increased planting and maintenance of urban trees is something that will reduce our impact. Although this impact will not make an extreme difference on a global scale, every action makes a difference.

In addition, the reduced use of energy is not the only benefit trees have as we try to mitigate climate change. Trees have an effect on both air pollution and water pollution. In the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, runoff is a growing source of pollution. As more land continues to be developed, there is more surface area where rainwater cannot be absorbed, and instead continues to collect pollutants and carry them into rivers and streams. This is where trees come into play. In urban areas where there is not a large amount of trees or natural areas, increasing the presence of trees has a large effect on reducing runoff. Trees absorb water through their roots and collect water on their leaves, which is returned to the atmosphere through a process called evapotranspiration. Having a tree in your yard or out by the street can make a big difference when it comes to reducing pollution in the beloved Chesapeake Bay.

Trees also play a significant role in reducing air pollution. They intercept particulate matter and absorb airborne pollutants, leaving the air cleaner than it was. The Conservation Law Foundation estimates that 45 million tons of carbon are absorbed by urban forests in the U.S., and that this number could more than double if more trees were strategically planted in urban areas.

Trees are constantly benefiting the areas around them, and as they age and grow, their benefits only continue to increase. GHEP wants to help contribute to reducing the effects of climate change on our communities in Prince George’s County. Through our Family Tree Adoption Program, you can plant at least three free trees in your yard, which will provide endless benefits to yourself, your community, and the environment.

Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749101002640?via%3Dihub
https://www.cbf.org/issues/polluted-runoff/index.html
https://www.clf.org/blog/urban-trees-benefit-our-climate-and-health/

Trees Help People Get Outside and Engage with Their City

Trees Help People Get Outside and Engage with Their City

by | Sep 28, 2026 | Blog

Planting trees in your yard or in public areas can have a wide impact on your community. Trees are well known for their ability to reduce air and water pollution, provide habitats to wildlife, and so much more. In addition to the many benefits to both the environment and our health, the presence and planting of trees has been found to bring communities closer together.

First of all, trees make the outdoors more enjoyable. Their presence provides shade on sunny days, beautiful colors in the fall, flowers in the spring, and cover from rain. Trees also reduce water and air pollution, a benefit that we cannot see but can definitely feel in our surrounding atmosphere. Therefore, the more trees in a community, the more willing community members will be to spend time outdoors, whether it be walking, birdwatching, or any other outdoor activity.

Greenspaces often include trees in their layout, and have seen substantial benefits to communities as well. Studies have linked the incorporation of greenspaces, which includes wilderness environments, parks, and reserves, to benefits in mental health. These greenspaces have been linked to an increase in both individual mental health and an increase in social interaction. When the community has public areas to use, they are provided with a space to participate in group sports, to enjoy picnics, to take walks with their dogs, or to go on a casual bike ride. Having outdoor community areas creates a welcoming space for community members to interact with, and often results in increased relationships with fellow community members.

Green spaces provide such an important space for communities, because this is a space where community members can hold different gatherings and events. For example, events such as tree plantings often take place in green spaces, acting as a fun and engaging way to bring the community together while investing in the natural environment surrounding us. At GHEP, we want our Family Tree Adoption Program to bring people together similarly.

Throughout the year, we hold community tree planting demonstration events and other community events. This is a great way to get to know your community, learn more about how we plan to help the community, and spend some time in nature!

To find out more about what we do and stay updated on future events, click this link! https://globalhealthprojects.org/ghep-events/

Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5663018/#abstract1
https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2022/04/parks-green-spaces-improve-health/
https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/social-benefits-green-infrastructure

Trees Create Economic Opportunities: Are You Tapping In?

Trees Create Economic Opportunities: Are You Tapping In?

by | Sep 24, 2026 | Blog

Trees have many intrinsic values, meaning that they have value simply because they exist, not for any external benefits. We appreciate them for their beauty and for what they provide to the natural world. However, our world is largely based on economics, which promotes the monetary value of objects in contrast to their intrinsic value. No matter which way trees are viewed, they will always have a benefit to society and our environment, whether it be intrinsic or economical.

The presence of trees enhances many economic sectors. Businesses with trees surrounding them attract more traffic, tenants are more satisfied with their rental if it has trees, and homes or businesses surrounded by trees or small wooded areas sell quicker and for more money than those that do not have trees. Rental properties that have a high-quality landscape, which includes trees, rent for 7% higher than homes of similar value without landscaping efforts. Studies have even found that homes in neighborhoods with street trees, which create a canopy cover over the road, sell for $7,000 more than homes that do not have street trees. Growing trees in both the backyard of a home and near the street creates not only a beautiful environment for children and residents to enjoy, but it also makes the neighborhood a more desirable place to live.

The benefits trees create for shopping centers benefit the stores’ profits directly. Shoppers will pay approximately 10% more on products and are more likely to frequent shopping centers if they are surrounded by trees. The economic benefits of trees are endless, and extend far beyond directly benefiting businesses’ profits. They remove pollutants from the air, increase health and therefore economic output. They reduce stormwater runoff, increasing the cleanliness of the Chesapeake Bay, reducing costs necessary to remove pollution.

Trees in communities can also be used to incentivize individuals to create small businesses, from selling fruit to increased need for landscaping as trees become more present. A single fruit tree can produce a large quantity of fruit. Having this accessible would be a great opportunity to teach children how to care for the tree, how to harvest fruit, and distribute it throughout the neighborhood.

GHEP wants to see your community benefit from the incorporation of trees. Our Family Tree Adoption Program provides free trees to Prince George’s County residents, as we hope to see an increase in your quality of life and the quality of your community. Visit our Family Tree Adoption Program page to request your free trees today!

Sources:
https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/elibrary-item/economic-benefits-of-trees/

Trees Help Prevent Water Pollution

Trees Help Prevent Water Pollution

by | Sep 21, 2026 | Blog

One of the most discussed benefits of trees is their ability to reduce runoff and subsequent water pollution. This has considerable effects in urban and suburban areas, where there are a lot of impervious surfaces that do not absorb water well. When rain falls on an impervious surface, it picks up pollutants, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and oils, which flow into the nearest body of water.

Trees provide canopy cover, which intercepts a percentage of the rainfall that would otherwise flow onto the impervious surfaces. Instead, this water stays on the leaves and is evaporated into the air through a process called evapotranspiration. In addition, trees absorb water from their roots, desaturating the ground around them, allowing for more water to be absorbed instead of turning into runoff. The EPA has found that trees in urban areas can absorb 15-27% of annual rainfall, creating a significant reduction in the amount of water that will carry pollutants into the Chesapeake Bay.

While this process is important anywhere in the world, it is especially important to prevent runoff in Maryland. Maryland is a part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, which is the world’s largest land-to-water coastal watershed. Prince George’s County is also included in this watershed, which means we need to take extra care to ensure that harmful runoff into the bay is reduced as much as possible.

The Chesapeake Bay is measured yearly on a letter-grade scale for its concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen, and given a grade based on its contamination levels. In 2024, the bay received a C+, the highest grade in the last 20 years. As conservation efforts across Maryland and other watershed states ramp up, everyone who lives within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed needs to do their part to reduce pollution towards the Chesapeake Bay. Some positive actions would be to eliminate the use of harmful pesticides, plant native plants in your yard, and plant new trees!

GHEP wants to help protect the health of your watershed, ensuring that our natural resources stay healthy and beautiful. If you would like to plant a tree to beautify your home and protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, check out our Family Tree Adoption Program! We offer free tree planting services, in hopes that you will enjoy the benefits of a healthy environment!

Sources:
https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/watershed
https://www.umces.edu/news/chesapeakebayreportcard-2025
https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/benefits-trees-and-vegetation
https://www.chesapeakebay.net/news/blog/chesapeake-bay-receives-highest-health-grade-in-over-20-years

The Big Umbrella Effect: Trees Shield Children From Ultraviolet Rays By Emily Moaddel, BS

The Big Umbrella Effect: Trees Shield Children From Ultraviolet Rays By Emily Moaddel, BS

by | Sep 17, 2026 | Blog

If you’re outside at a park or in your backyard on a hot, sunny day, all you want to do is find a shady spot to cool down. If you’re lucky, there will be a beautiful, big tree there to provide shade. Trees are a natural barrier to protect individuals from harmful ultraviolet rays. In the United States, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. It is estimated that one in five Americans will have skin cancer at some point in their life. Given its prevalence, we must make every effort to create spaces where individuals can stay out of the sunlight while being able to enjoy the outdoors.

This is where the importance of trees comes in. Trees require little maintenance and immediately make a park or outdoor area more inviting. They provide a space for children and other parkgoers to rest from the sun, reducing their exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. A study conducted by Purdue University found that if you stand in the full shade of a tree, the time it could take them to burn would be reduced from 20 minutes to 100 minutes. This is the equivalent to wearing SPF 10 sunscreen, and if you are already wearing sunscreen, it will increase the length of time that you are protected!

In addition to protecting children from the sun at parks or in their yards, trees make a big impact for pedestrians walking through neighborhoods or along roads. In neighborhoods, having trees in front of every house can provide a canopy cover over sidewalks and walkways, reducing the heat and sun exposure for pedestrians. A study conducted in Wisconsin measured the heat difference between streets that had no tree canopy and those that were at least 40% covered. The results found that if the tree canopy was at least 40% full, the temperature was reduced by 5-7℉. The restriction of sunlight provided by this canopy cover protects pedestrians from overexposure to the sun and reduces the effects of heat being absorbed and reflected back into the atmosphere.

Trees enhance parks, sidewalks, and many other places by providing shade and a cool atmosphere for people to join. GHEP’s Family Tree Adoption Program provides free trees for your yard, so your family can enjoy the outdoors and stay active while staying protected from ultraviolet rays. Get your tree now, and in only a few years, it will be providing shade for you, your family, and your neighbors!

Sources:
https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer
https://www.purdue.edu/uns/html4ever/020422.Grant.shade.html
https://ncelenviro.org/articles/first-in-science-city-trees-can-reduce-urban-heat-island-effect/