With so much attention on global warming, this year's TreeVitalize exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show highlights how planting trees can help address the warming of the Earth by absorbing carbon dioxide and cutting energy use.

"There are no easy answers for how to address global warming, but we want to teach people that a simple act of planting trees is something we can all do to help make a difference," Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said.

DCNR spearheads the public/private TreeVitalize effort to restore tree cover in the five-county region in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The 500-square-foot TreeVitalize exhibit, "Solve the Puzzle with Trees," includes a calculator for visitors to determine the carbon footprint that they and their families create.

Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Visitors will also learn how many trees they would need to be plant to offset their carbon emissions.

Visitors will take away tree planting instructions and a tree rebate offer for the purchase of a tree if they live in southeastern Pennsylvania.

"With our exhibit, we're teaching hundreds-of-thousands of people about the importance of trees in solving an environmental problem," Secretary DiBerardinis said. "Whether a flowering redbud or a towering red maple, trees shading the east or the west side of a house save energy, money and help do a good deed for the planet."

Some facts and tips included on the puzzle pieces that make up the exhibit are:

· Shading an air conditioner with a tree can increase energy efficiency by 10 percent;

· Planting a row of evergreens on the north side of a house will buffer prevailing winds;

· Pennsylvania emits one percent of the entire planet's global warming pollution;

· Burn calories and reduce emissions by using a push mower, pruners, handsaws and rakes instead of power equipment;

· A 40-year-old red maple stores 700 more pounds of carbon dioxide than a 5-year-old red maple; and

· Decaying wood releases stored carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Find ways to salvage wood for furniture and other long lasting products.

Some of the almost 2,000 volunteers who have been trained about tree care as part of the TreeVitalize effort will help provide information at the exhibit. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also contributed.

The TreeVitalize program has a goal of planting more than 20,000 shade trees in neighborhoods in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

DCNR's initial investment to make neighborhoods more attractive and livable, and watersheds healthier by planting trees, has been tripled by other partners including private sources.

3/2/2007