Two years ago, residents in Jacksonville Florida were upset about the manner in which new home builders were treating trees. They did not like the common practice employed by many builders called "clear cutting."

Clear cutting means leveling every treee before construction. It is an inexpensive way to deal with trees on a wooded lot. They wanted trees to be preserved and they succeeded in having the question placed on the county ballot. The result was stronger tree replacement ordinance.

Trees are worth protecting. They provide shade and lower temperatures. Shaded houses can save a lot of money on air conditioning, which means they are environmentally protective. The less electric used, the less pollution generated from making the electric.

Trees filter pollution from the air. With all the asthma cases and other pollution related illnesses, you can see why this means something.

They also reduce noise. This is very important, especially in residential areas. Trees are often barriers between homes and highways, railroads and commercial establishments. Trees that keep their leaves all year round are particularly helpful in this regard. Trees also provide habitat for wildlife, including endangered species. Some animals require large undisturbed wooded areas to breed and nest. Reducing these areas eliminates these species.

Here is a big benefit. Trees reduce soil erosion and keep sediment and runoff from entering into creeks, lakes and wetlands. Which means trees promote better water quality!

Trees also enrich soil conditions, and maintain the stability of creeks and lake banks. They also form windbreaks .

Aesthetically, trees block objectionable views, provide privacy and enhance property values.

Watch out for developers that do not respect trees. If your community has a tree replacement ordinance, make sure that it is enforced. Often, deals are reached that allow developers to ignore these requirements. If the public is watching, these bad deals will be less likely.

If your community does not have a tree replacement ordinance, push for one. Maybe you don't think you need one now, but in ten years you may wish you had one.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.