How Trees Can Save Lakes from Algae Blooms

LakeAttitash is blessed with many mature and beautiful trees around its shores.

Have youever wondered why the Conservation Commissions works so hard to protect trees andother vegetation near our lake?

Why do we need to protect them? Whyshould we plant more trees?

Trees, shrubs and plants play an incredible role inreducing storm water and removing or filtering nutrients and pollutants thatwould otherwise end up in our lake.

• Trees provideshade
• Trees reduce airpollution
• Their roots holdthe soil preventing soil erosion
• Trees act likeenormous sponges. They absorb large amounts of storm water before it can runoff into the lake
• And, best of all, they absorb excess nutrients(nitrogen and phosphorus) and contaminants (metals, pesticides, solvents, oils)from the soil before they reach the water.

(Remember,phosphorus is public enemy #1 for Lake Attitash. Excess nutrients feed algaeand create the hazardous algae blooms our alum treatment is designed tosuppress.)

Fun facts:

According toan article published by Penn State Extension in August of 2015, a “singlemature oak tree can consume over 40,000 gallons of water in a year.”

And, fromthe same Penn State article, “a mature evergreen can intercept more than 4,000gallons per year. “

Please protect and plant trees!

This project has been partiallyfunded with Federal Funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to theMassachusetts Department of Environmental Protection under an s. 319competitive grant.