Takoma Park Native Tree Selection Guide – Friends of Native Trees in Takoma – “This guide has been prepared by the Friends of Native Trees in Takoma, a group of Takoma Park residents who advocate planting native trees and plants to protect biodiversity in Takoma Park and the surrounding areas.We have two goals in writing this guide. First: We want to raise awareness about biodiversity loss and how planting native trees can protect bio diversity as well as address climate change. Many people are relatively well-informed about climate change but know less about the threat from biodiversity loss and how it is intertwined with the climate crisis. Planting trees tackles climate change through sequestering carbon and mitigating adverse climate effects,such as increased storm water run-off and high summer ambient temperatures. But planting native trees does more than address climate change alone. At the same time that native trees help with climate change, they also protect biodiversity through providing habitat to the many species with which the native trees have evolved. We explain in this guide what biodiversity is, why it is threatened in our area, and how planting a native tree in your yard can protect and restore local biodiversity (see Native Trees, Biodiversity, and You). Second: We want to help you select a native tree for your property.Towards this end, the guide outlines five steps in selecting a native tree species that suits your needs and preferences (see Five Steps in Selecting a Native Tree), and provides information on 69tree species recommended for Takoma Park (See Takoma ParkNative Trees)…” [h/t Carol Allen]