Planting trees in your neighborhood really is one of the best things you can do for the local environment and for the planet. It’s no secret that trees help the environment, but you may be surprised by all the benefits that planting trees can provide. Besides producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide and contaminants from the air, trees have many other social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Excess carbon dioxide (CO2) is
building up in our atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Trees
absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing oxygen back
into the air. In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount
of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles.
Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen
oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of
the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
On hillsides or
stream slopes, trees slow runoff and hold soil in place.
Average
temperatures in Los Angeles have risen 6°F in the last 50 years as tree
coverage has declined and the number of heat-absorbing roads and buildings
has increased. Trees cool the
city by up to 10°F, by shading our homes and streets, breaking up urban
“heat islands” and releasing water
Shade from trees
slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. Most newly planted trees need
only fifteen gallons of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase
atmospheric moisture.
An apple tree can
yield up to 15-20 bushels of fruit per year and can be planted on the
tiniest urban lot. Aside from fruit for humans, trees provide food for
birds and wildlife.
Three trees placed
strategically around a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning
needs by up to 50 percent. By reducing the energy demand for cooling our
houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power
plants.
Trees reduce
runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk
and into the earth below the tree. This prevents storm water from carrying
pollutants to the ocean. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that
filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater supplies.
Skin cancer is the
most common form of cancer in the United States. Trees reduce UV-B
exposure by about 50 percent, thus providing protection to children on
school campuses and playgrounds - where children spend hours outdoors.
Studies have shown
that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with
less complications. Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have
access to nature. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by
reducing mental fatigue.
Is it winter,
spring, summer or fall? Look at the trees.
Neighborhoods and
homes that are barren have shown to have a greater incidence of violence
in and out of the home than their greener counterparts. Trees and
landscaping help to reduce the level of fear.
Whether as houses
for children or creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have
provided the space for human retreat throughout the ages.
Fruit harvested
from community orchards can be sold, thus providing income. Small business
opportunities in green waste management and landscaping arise when cities
value mulching and its water-saving qualities. Vocational training for
youth interested in green jobs is also a great way to make money.
Tree plantings
provide an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment that
improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods. All cultures, ages, and
genders have an important role to play at a tree planting or tree care
event.
Sycamore and oak
are among the many urban species that provide excellent urban homes for
birds, bees, possums and squirrels.
Trees as landmarks
can give a neighborhood a new identity and encourage civic pride.
Trees can mask
concrete walls or parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound
from nearby streets and freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of
green. Trees absorb dust and wind and reduce glare.
The beauty of a
well-planted property and its surrounding street and neighborhood can
raise property values by as much as 15 percent.
In suburban and
rural areas, trees can be selectively harvested for fuel and craft wood.
Studies show that
the more trees and landscaping a business district has, the more business
will flow in. A tree-lined street will also slow traffic – enough to allow
the drivers to look at the store fronts instead of whizzing by.
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