LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
As Airmen plant a tree during this year's tree planting ceremony on
Earth Day, April 22, it's good to know their efforts are recognized.
This is the tenth year Langley has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation.
"This recognition is just one indication of Langley's commitment to the environment," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Ullmann, 1st Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "As a society, we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact our actions can have on the environment. As Airmen, we work hard to make that impact a positive one."
Over 90 years ago most of the native trees in this area were Live oak and Loblolly pine trees, according to H. Reed Jeavons, 1st CES natural resources planner.
"Albert Kahn one of the architects that designed Langley Field used Pin Oak trees, which became the predominant street tree in his design during the 1930s," said Mr. Jeavons.
A sizeable number of these trees were lost during Hurricane Isabel in 2003.
Congressional relief funding provided for reforestation with approximately 2,000 trees starting in October 2004 and concluding in December 2005.
Today, the base's tree populace is more diversified and is made up of Bald cypress, London planes, American hollies, Lacebark elms, Crape-myrtles and Willow oaks, as well as other species.
A diversity of tree species provides protection against catastrophic loss from invasive insects and diseases. The trees used in the reforestation were selected for their tolerance of the growing conditions found in this area; temperature extremes, compacted soils, and coastal conditions such as salt spray and flooding.
"Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, and they also provide environmental and economical benefits," said John Rosenow, chief executive of the
Arbor Day Foundation. "Cities that are recognized with a Tree City USA designation go to great lengths to plant and care for the community forest."
Trees benefit Langley's community by reducing water runoff, improving air quality by removing dust and other particles from the air, and regulating temperatures.
Air temperatures can be up to 10 degrees cooler under a mature tree and the surface temperatures of shaded streets and parking lots can be 40 to 50 degrees cooler on a hot summer day, according to Mr. Jeavons.
More information about the Tree City USA program can be found at
www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.