If Trees Could Sing: Big Kenny

A Few Benefits of Trees

• Oxygen: All trees produce oxygen from carbon dioxide, which they remove from the air.
• Cooling: Trees cool the air through a process in which water evaporates from leaves or needles. 
• Energy Savings: Tree shade can dramatically reduce home air conditioning costs.
• Pollution Control: Trees remove pollution from the air. A single mature tree can remove more than 200 lbs. of pollution a year.
• Flood Control: Trees soak up stormwater, reducing flooding. In big storms, a tree can absorb 50 to 100 gallons of rainwater.
• Paper: Trees provide paper. The average American uses 750 lbs. of paper a year.
• Homes: Trees provide lumber for homes. 95% of American homes are built with wood.

Big Kenny's featured tree in Centennial Park in Nashville is the Eastern Cottonwood. Here are some details about it.

Eastern Cottonwood Facts

• Scientific name: Populus deltoides
• Other names: cotton tree, whitewood
• Range: across the Midwest and South, and into Texas
• Height: up to 125 feet tall. Grows quickly. Can grow 4 or 5 feet a year.
• Fruit:  clusters of 1/2" green capsules, containing 30-50 seeds swathed in cottony fibers
• Fall colors: leaves turn yellow-gold
• Learn more about this tree and others through our If Trees Could Sing resource page.

You Can Take Care of Trees Like the Eastern Cottonwood

• Plant in late fall or winter when the tree is dormant, unless the ground is frozen. 
• Allow plenty of room for the tree to mature and grow.
• Water regularly in its first three years.
• Spread mulch around the base of the tree. 

Mighty Cool Tree Fact

Did you know... one tree can absorb as much carbon in a year as a car produces driving 26,000 miles?