Benefits of Trees

Trees are valuable assets that add beauty to our neighborhoods. Caring for mature trees is a long term investment for our communities, and proper maintenance will enhance our urban forests for future generations. There are numerous benefits that urban forests provide: environmental, social, personal, and economic.

AESTHETIC VALUE:

Trees improve the ambience of our surroundings. Autumn colors and winter silhouettes are stunning; spring and fall colors are often breath-taking; and various textures, contrast, and shapes display nature at its best. Trees are fascinating: steadfast, enduring, ageless. Some trees are over 2000 years of age, others are overwhelming in size. Trees are an extremely important part of our landscape and have been valued throughout recorded history. Our literature is filled with allusions to trees, and they are recognized for their symbolic value. Many consider trees to be art in nature. Our personal lives are often filled with childhood memories associated with trees. We often remember the trees of our childhood neighborhoods and are amazed to see how little they have changed over the years. Trees are often planted at special times in our lives: marriage, birth and memorials. They connect us with our past as living legacies.

HEALTH:

Patients in hospitals with well-treed landscapes are less stressed. Research indicates that hospital patients heal faster in environments with more trees and plants. Over one third of prescription drugs have ingredients derived from plants or microorganisms found in forests.

"In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension." - Dr. Roger S. Ulrich, Texas A&M University

ENVIRONMENT:

Trees and forest areas provide food and shelter for animals, birds, and insects. Trees are foundational for our parks, allowing urban dwellers to live in close proximity to protected trees. The rapid loss of trees each day due to development makes the preservation of existing mature trees all the more important.

Trees improve our environment in many ways and positively impact our daily lives. They improve air quality; through photosynthesis, leaves take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen for us to breathe. One large tree can release up to 300 gallons of water each day into the air and provide essential oxygen. Trees effectively trap particulate pollutants. The leaves filter dust and help remove toxic pollutants from the air.

"One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people." - U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams." - USDA Forest Service

Water that evaporates from leaves cools the surrounding area. Shade trees planted on the west and south dramatically reduce the ambient temperature. Trees can serve as windbreaks during the cold season, reducing drafts and heating costs from 10 to 20%. They also reduce noise and provide privacy. Mature trees improve our sense of relaxation and create a peaceful environment.

"The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day." - U.S. Department of Agriculture

"Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 - 50 percent in energy used for heating." - USDA Forest Service

REAL ESTATE / ARCHITECTURE:

Trees accentuate architecture and often provide a soft or colorful contrast to buildings. When you buy a home in a treed neighborhood, you are buying part of that landscape. Trees located on private property are part of the community and increase the real estate values in that area.

"Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent." -Management Information Services, ICMA