Blogs

Growing up, I loved to climb trees. When I was seated in the branches of a tree I could be anything I wanted, from a forest fairy overlooking her kingdom, to a firefighter saving an (imaginary) cat. Trees played an essential role in my childhood, but they did more than just fuel my overactive imagination. Trees benefit the health and wellbeing of all people, but they hold unique benefits for kids.

Thank you all for taking the time to pose your most pressing tree and garden questions! We loved reading each person’s individual queries, as they showed the unique connections between residents and the urban forest. There were so many questions, that we couldn't answer just five! We narrowed them down to the six most representative. 

Claire studies sustainability at university. She started working at LEAF this summer, running our Junior Urban Forest Rangers Program. Read about how she helps shape the next generation of urban forest champions!

Kaila is a planting program assistant at LEAF. She is passionate about urban forest management, and loves working at LEAF! So we sat down to ask Kaila how she came to be an Urban Forest Champion.

Ever heard the expression “money doesn’t grow on trees”? Well, LEAF is here to say it does! In the summer, shade trees planted on the west and south sides of your home can reduce cooling costs by 25–40% according to a study by the University of California Berkeley.