Standing Tall: The Final Chapter
We’ve been on quite the journey—from the humble beginnings of a Tree Trust sapling (From Clipping to Canopy) to its big move into the neighborhood (From Nursery to Neighborhood). Now we reach the last chapter in this tree’s story. Spoiler alert: it’s not actually the end. It’s where the tree really starts to show off.
Green Futures™
Give the gift of Green Futures™ and help more young trees take root, grow strong, and transform neighborhoods for generations to come. Your support nurtures more than trees—it cultivates a legacy of cleaner air, cooler communities, and greener futures.
Reaching Maturity
A tree reaches maturity when it hits the typical height and spread for its species—think of it as the botanical version of hitting your stride. Since every tree grows at its own pace, let’s zero in on one showstopper: a Tree Trust bi-color (swamp white) oak that’s been thriving in South Minneapolis for three decades. Once small enough to carry in a five-gallon bucket, this oak now stands tall and proud beside a family home. Its canopy cools the house and makes the yard 100% more picnic-worthy. But this tree isn’t just curb appeal; it is providing many important benefits. It soaks up stormwater, purifies the air, and provides homes for local wildlife. Want to learn even more about how a mature tree benefits the environment? There’s an app for that!
Economic Benefits
The MyTree App reveals the benefits provided by this oak tree over the past three decades. During this time, the swamp white oak has delivered an estimated $732.65 in environmental benefits. It has absorbed more than 2,000 pounds of carbon, intercepted nearly 64,000 gallons of rainfall, and filtered pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and fine particulate matter out of the air. Additionally, the tree has saved 690 kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduced the need for other fuels—an impact that stewards our planet while helping the home it shades to stay cooler in summer.
With proper care and maintenance, the benefits from this oak will only increase over the next 20 years. According to the MyTree App, the tree has the potential to:
- Offset 8,122 miles worth of CO₂ emitted from an average gas-powered passenger vehicle.
- Absorb enough stormwater to fill 2,751 bathtubs.
- Remove an amount of pollution from the air – in gaseous and particulate form – equivalent in weight to 95 smartphones!
Mature trees are steadfast contributors to a healthy environment—working continuously to purify the air, manage stormwater, and moderate urban temperatures. While this may be the final chapter in one tree’s journey from nursery to neighborhood, it also marks the beginning of its lasting legacy. Each tree planted today reflects a shared commitment to cultivating greener, more resilient communities for generations to come.
