The City of Delphi Forestry Commission has published the City of Delphi Manual for the Care of Trees. The publication was approved by the Delphi Common Council and specifies the correct stands for tree planting and the care of trees in the City of Delphi.

The manual is full of information on the proper techniques for planting, pruning, protecting and safely removing trees in our community, said Jean Howell, City of Delphi Grants Coordinator.

Copies of the manuals are free to Delphi residents and business owners and may be picked up at the Clerk-Treasurer's Office in the Delphi Municipal Building, 201 S. Union Street.

The manual is also available to anyone to download from the city web page at http://cityofdelphi.org/street_ department.php.

"Trees contribute greatly to the quality of life in Delphi," said Howell. "Healthy mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property's value. Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent, and can save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating."

Planting trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion and allows for the recharging of the ground water supply. Trees can stimulate economic development. Visual exposure to settings with trees produces significant recovery from stress.