Submitted by Karen Jackson

Watch for new hanging Tree Tags around town in the next few weeks.

What are Tree Tags and who is hanging them?

The hanging of Tree Tags is a project begun three years ago by members of the Tipp City Tree Advisory Board to educate citizens on the wide-ranging value of trees to the Tipp City community. These “eco values” include, but are not limited to, many benefits: cooling shade, improved air quality through the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, stormwater control, increased property value, animal habitats, promote well-being, and the intangible asset of beauty. Although an exact dollar value cannot be determined, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked with the US Forestry Service and similar groups to develop a helpful tool.

How are locations selected?

All tags are hung on public property, such as curb lawns and parks—never on private property. Two original sites, where tags still hang, are in front of the post office and at Maple Hill Cemetery. Trees are selected based on species and size in order to show the range of values. The oldest, largest trees have the greatest eco value, of course, but a variety of species are necessary for a healthy, sustainable urban forest.

How can citizens help?

Please, please, please do not remove any Tree Tags. This project has required a combined effort by Tippecanoe Middle School students and their teacher who created the original design, a local printing company who produced them with funds provided by the city, and volunteers who identified trees, computed values, and hung tags. If you see a tag has fallen, please rehang it or deliver it to the government center.

How can I determine the eco value of my tree?

Here is a fun activity individuals and families can enjoy:

1.    Identify the species. Use a tree-identification App such as PlantNet if you don’t already know the species.

2.    Measure the tree’s diameter.

3.    Go online to the National Tree Benefit Calculator at arborday.org to enter your information and receive the annual value. Tags in town use the ten-year value.

The year 2024 is looking to be the hottest year on record, and the more trees planted and maintained, the more shade and cleaner air we’ll have.