A Trees4SC! Open House was held on September 18th at the City of Dillon Wellness Center.
Dillon has been working with Green Infrastructure for several months now gathering data on the community’s tree canopy, creating maps, and reviewing ordinances. Dillon now has a plan for the community’s urban forest. They held this meeting to see what the public’s thoughts are on the plan.
Those who attended had the opportunity to see community maps, hear the plans for the community forest, provide feedback, help decide where trees should be planted, and more.
Their goal is to increase the tree canopy within the city by one percent (approximately 3,879 trees) over the next 20 years.
Trees benefit the community by helping with cleaner air, cleaner water, less flooding, cooler temperatures, erosion control, wildlife habitat, and beautification.
These points about trees in Dillon were noted:
• Dillon’s trees reduce flooding by more than 8 Olympic swimming pools. Dillon’s trees absorb 5.4 million gallons of water for every three-inch rainfall.
• Dillon’s trees reduce erosion by over 52 large dump trucks. The trees hold and protect 366 tons of sediment each year. One dump truck can hold 14,000 pounds.
• Dillon’s trees help prevent asthma. They absorb 35,275 pounds of asthma inducing air pollution a year. That is the weight of 3 average size elephants.
• Dillon’s trees reduce CO2 emissions. The trees absorb 4,340 cars worth of carbon dioxide per year—that is 5,425 metric tons of carbon dioxide taken off the streets.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Betsy Finklea/The Dillon County News, LLC
