Two important bills to maintain and increase our tree canopy have been introduced in the Montgomery County Council. County Council Bill 35-12 conserves mature tree canopy and aims to increase urban canopy on residential and commercial lots in our communities. Council Bill 41-12, conserves trees along streets and in the public rights of way in our communities.

Sign a petition to let the County Council know how you feel about passage of these two companion tree bills. We are losing mature trees in our county due to storm damage, development and disease. The only way to maintain a healthy level of tree cover is to care for our existing trees, retain as many canopy trees as possible during construction and to replant aggressively to make up for the older trees we are losing. Trees are the lungs of our county and help to improve water and air quality. Research shows that homes with mature trees on the lot sell at higher prices and that retail centers where there are ample trees and landscaping realize higher profits.

We need trees in our Montgomery County communities -- and they need us to sign this online petition. Sign on and speak up for the trees!