Why Are Shoreland Trees Important?
Trees and shrubs are an excellent inexpensive and attractive way to control runoff and erosion. Roots hold soil and help stabilize slopes by trapping and using precipitation that would otherwise run off. They also increase soil porosity, allowing water to infiltrate rather than run off. Vegetation helps protect water quality by filtering out nutrients and pesticides that could otherwise reach a lake or stream and cause algal blooms or excessive plant growth. Trees and shrubs also improve air quality by taking in carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. In addition, trees provide shade and help moderate weather extremes such as hot sun or strong winds. Trees and shrubs offer habitat for wildlife and privacy for humans by screening adjacent property. This fact sheet offers guidelines to shoreland property owners who are growing a limited number of trees and shrubs on their recreational property, rather than those who are managing larger forest areas. Fact sheet #10 offers more information f
