The Importance of Trees

Trees are the unsung heroes of our environment. They can add value to your home, help cool your home and neighborhood, break the cold winds to lower your heating costs, and provide food for wildlife.

City councils often plant trees along city streets. City trees often serve several architectural and engineering functions. They provide privacy, emphasize views, or screen out objectionable views. City trees also reduce glare and reflection.

Trees, shrubs, and turf will improve air quality. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates. Rain then washes the pollutants to the ground. Leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air to form carbohydrates that are used in the plant’s structure and function. Leaves also absorb other air pollutants—such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide—and give off oxygen.

Benefits of Trees

• “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 can boost the market value of your home by an average of 6 or 7 percent.” -Dr. Lowell Ponte
• “Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent.” -Management Information Services/ICMA
• “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
• “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
• “Shade from trees could save up to $175 per year (per structure) in air conditioning costs.” -Dr. Lowell Ponte
• “Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property's value.” -USDA Forest Service
• “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

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