Do you live in a treeless town?

The Washington Post, courtesy of writer David Fahrenthold, ran an interesting story back in March of this year. It’s an oldie, but a goodie, and you can read it here. Basically, it talks about treeless towns.

Surely you’ve seen some of these towns: They’re often newer suburbs, filled with sprawling home and lush green lawns. But there’s one thing they’re lacking, trees of any substance. Sure, there might be a scraggly little tree perched in front of every home. But the tree’s so small, it barely gives shade to an earthworm.

The state of Virginia earlier this year approved a law that would force developers to preserve old trees as they build new neighborhoods. Such a law seems to make sense. After all, there are few things more depressing than a neighborhood dotted with scrawny, sad-looking trees.

Those trees, by the way — and I’m talking real, shade-producing ones — make a difference when it’s time to sell a house. They add immensely to a home’s curb appeal. Don’t think for a minute that potential buyers don’t notice a lack of trees in a neighborhood. And if these buyers happen to be looking during a hot summer day, you can bet they’ll be looking for some mature shade-producing trees.

Let’s hope more states follow Virginia’s lead and try to offer at least some protection to old trees. A neighborhood just doesn’t look like neighborhood without them.