Editorial: Revel in the glory of trees

Friday, April 28, 2006 | 7:33 a.m.

Today is national Arbor Day and we hope people take the time to look around their neighborhoods and imagine the difference if a few more trees were rising above the asphalt and tile rooftops.

Many neighborhoods in the Las Vegas Valley are part of new subdivisions. Genius went into calculating how to wedge the homes into the acreage to capitalize on every square inch. But, in many cases, someone forgot about trees.

Homes by the thousands sit out in the open sun, baking in the spring, summer and fall and requiring more air conditioning to compensate for lack of shade. No trees also mean less healthful air, as leaves absorb harmful carbon dioxide and convert it into refreshing oxygen.

Trees have a psychological effect, too. Scientists say they can make a huge difference in someone's state of mind. And some scientists say the glory of trees can even speed the healing process in people recovering from illness or surgery.

Trees are perfect in desert landscaping schemes, requiring only a fraction of the water that grass does. And in grassy areas, trees take in water from the sprinklers, which means little extra watering is required.

So let's see a few thousand more trees springing up, adding beauty and joy to our community and neighborhoods.