Planting trees is one way to protect land and local streams from damage caused by excessive runoff and erosion. Trees long have been appreciated for their beauty, but their help in minimizing erosion is not as well known. Landscaping with trees, shrubs, and ground cover reduces the erosive force of rainwater runoff and helps excess water to filter slowly into the soil rather than flowing directly into storm drains or nearby streams. In addition, since trees and shrubs require less fertilizer and herbicides than turf grasses, the chance of polluting waterways is reduced.
What You Can Do
By following these simple guidelines, you can help prevent erosion and make your home more attractive:
Think about the ultimate destination of rain water in your home and neighborhood.
Consider the kinds of pollution that can be picked up by rushing rain water and carried through local stormwater collection systems into streams and lakes.
Never dump motor oil, grass trimmings, leaves, animal waste, or other pollutants into road gutters, storm drains, or catch basins.
Landscape your yard to minimize rain-water runoff.
Divert rain from paved surfaces onto grass to permit gradual infiltration.
Preserve established trees in your neighborhood to help reduce the damage caused by surface runoff.
Reprinted from the Clean Water Book: Lifestyle Choices for Water Resource Protection. For further information, contact Kyra Hoffmann, Office of Environmental Planning, at (609) 633-1179.
Articles appearing in the New Jersey Discharger may be reprinted provided source credit is given.
Please contact Tom Cosmas regarding any comments on the New Jersey Discharger web pages.
Last revision Tuesday, November 26, 1996
