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Trees
are very important to our environment.
- Trees produce life-giving
oxygen and remove pollution from the air.
- They lower air temperature,
release moisture into the air, and retain particulates.
- Trees prevent erosion by
holding soil in place and slowing runoff from rain.
- Trees provide shelter and
food to a variety of birds and other wildlife.
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The Iowa Department of
Transportation has joined with the Iowa Department
of Natural Resources to work to reverse the decline
of forested areas in Iowa. In 1990 the Roadside Planting
Program was established to plant trees and other woody
plants on public-owned land along the interstate and
primary highways of Iowa.
In 1997, the DOT planted
the one millionth tree at a rest area on I-35 just
north of Ames.
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One millionth
tree planting |
In addition to the environmental
and wildlife benefits trees provide, they also serve a valuable
function in Iowa's transportation system.
- These plantings function
as living snow fences and wind breaks along roadways.
- They stabilize banks, and
block and reflect light glare, which reduces eye strain
on drivers.
- Trees also break up the landscape
and provide focal points. This helps reduce the 'hypnotic'
effect drivers can sometimes experience when there are
no changes in the scenery.
To learn more about some of
the common types of trees and the different types of planting
styles we use, visit our Roadside
Plantings and Planting
Styles pages. Also visit our Tree
Links pages
for more information about trees and some fun activities.
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