Cut the carbon, plant a tree

FALLBROOK – The controversy about climate goes on, but why sit on the fence, Jackie Heyneman of Fallbrook Land Conservancy's Save Our Forest committee said. The simple act of planting a tree has been shown to provide numerous benefits for communities and is one of the best, and easiest, ways to join in the battle against climate change. Save Our Forest invited residents to join the battle against climate change and cut the carbon by planting a tree.

The Arbor Day Foundation as well as numerous other state and national tree organizations have set as their goal for 2020 the planting of millions of trees across the nation to curb the effects of climate change.

With a similar goal, Save Our Forest is partnering with the Fallbrook Climate Action Team to offer a program to homeowners, which will provide information on the benefits of trees, as well as a tree suited for their property.

Details of this initiative will be presented Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Palomares House, 1815 S. Stage Coach Lane in Fallbrook. This program offers individuals a way to fight the battle against climate change, while enhancing their community's rural character.

The program, which will run through the cool winter and spring months, is to offer a tree that is specifically identified as "The Right Tree in the Right Place."

Each property will be evaluated to determine correct directional location for planting which may in turn provide energy saving shade in the summer and warming sun in the winter.

A list of suggested trees, identifying each by its mature height, type – deciduous or evergreen – and drought tolerance will be available. This program will also provide residents with information on defensible space.

The tree planting program will provide all information to homeowners through easy to understand brochures and diagrams, a 15-gallon tree, evaluating site visit and a follow-up visit if necessary.

It also includes a gift of a 1-year "Friends" membership with Fallbrook Land Conservancy. Members receive monthly emails with activities and information about the more than two thousand acres of open space protected by the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, hiking and walking trails open to the public and invitation to special members only events.

The cost for this program is $50. Anyone who is interested but cannot attend the Jan. 11 presentation can reach out to Heyneman by leaving a message at the Fallbrook Land Conservancy office at (760) 728-0889.

Join the battle, plant a tree.

Submitted by Fallbrook Land Conservancy.