How do you grow an urban forest? Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon nailed the answer: "One tree at a time ... "

"One Million Trees for One Million People" is Corroon's ongoing call to action. The mayor hopes to help a million new trees take root in the county by 2017, duplicating tree-planting efforts under way across the country.

Trees and Utah go way back. But rampant development, the lack of urban forestry programs and a proper appreciation for community forests were thinning the canopies over some cities by the late 20th century.

Fast forward. Today, 61 cities in Utah have been designated as "Tree Cities" by the national Arbor Day Foundation. And across the nation, as cities try to prevent and prepare for a warmer world, municipal officials are embracing trees as a partial solution to the problem.

The local effort can only be aided by a new initiative -- tree banks. Salt Lake County, Provo City Forestry and the nonprofit TreeUtah organization have each added tree bank accounts to their Web sites, enabling tree lovers to donate directly to tree planting, maintenance and education programs. It's a worthy cause. And, as Utah's urban forestry programs and the trees they plant mature, the results will be visible via satellite, as well as from the street.

There's a lot to say for trees, which are now known as "green infrastructure" in community planning parlance.

For a homeowner, trees provide shade that can reduce

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cooling costs by up to 25 percent, and instantly increase property values. According to the U.S. Forest Service, mature landscape trees can add up to 10 percent to the value of a home.

For neighborhoods, tree-lined streets equate to stability, low crime rates and beauty that enhances the quality of life. And tree-lined business districts are proven producers, creating an atmosphere that encourages consumers to linger longer and spend more.

Plus, the verifiable environmental benefits are substantial.

An acre of trees produces enough oxygen in a year to keep 18 people breathing, while removing air pollutants and sequestering carbon dioxide. Plus, they absorb and filter rainwater, reducing flooding and keeping contaminants out of the water table while decreasing evaporation and residential water consumption by shading thirsty lawns.

So plant a native tree or two on your property and/or make a deposit to the tree banks. Think of it as offsetting-your-carbon-footprint made easy.