According to Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy, a native plant is “a plant…that has evolved in a given place over a period of time sufficient to develop complex and essential relationships with the physical environment and other organisms in a given ecological community.” Native trees are powerhouses when it comes to functionality and habitat value. Moreover, indigenous trees also require less fertilizer, pesticides, and extra watering, leading to less cost and maximum impact.

Planting trees can benefit us all.

• Cleaner air: Annually, an acre of trees absorbs the amount of carbon dioxide equal to driving your car 26,000 miles. One tree can produce enough oxygen for four people. Trees also purify the air as they absorb pollutant gases.
• Cleaner water: Except for cooling, trees also help to save water. Because of the shade they provide, water will evaporate slowly from low vegetation. 
• Soil and erosion control: Trees are one of the best partners when it comes to agriculture. They reduce soil erosion, increase fertility, and help soil obtain moisture. 

There’s a direct link between diversity of life on our planet and the health of our planet. Earth is healthier when more different forms of life thrive. They transform energy from the Sun into an energy form that can be consumed by complex organisms like birds, mammals, etc. More trees mean more resources, and more resources means more life will thrive over time. Further, they provide habitats and shelters for local species. One tree can support up to 2.3 million living species, including caterpillars, fungi, birds, and mammals.