Trees for Amarillo is a project of Keep Amarillo Beautiful that was endorsed by the Amarillo City Commission in 1991. The project's goal was to plant one tree for every resident by the turn of the century, McGuire said. Since the beginning of the project, about 185,000 trees have been planted, according records from local nurseries, the parks and recreation department, Texas Department of Transportation and Amarillo Independent School District. Properly placed, they can cut air conditioning costs up to 15 percent. Trees muffle noise, clean the air, produce oxygen, provide privacy and add beauty to a community.
Trees play a role in the water cycle.
They use water but also pull water through their root systems and keep soil moist, which benefits nearby plants. Trees native to a specific area can survive a wide variety of climates. Trees native to or tolerant of Panhandle weather survive longer. Area residents interested in a list of native trees may obtain a copy through local county extension agents or McGuire at 355-8757. Local nurseries, city parks and recreation officials and Texas Agricultural Extension agents from Potter and Randall counties were consulted in the compilation of the listing.