Trees make Georgia communities more livable and attractive. They provide economic, environmental and social and health benefits that translate into measurable dollar values.
Trees reduce energy usage and cooling and heating costs. Properly placed trees can provide a significant decrease in summer cooling costs. During the winter season, a thick evergreen canopy will buffer against cold winds, while a deciduous tree will allow the warmth of sunlight where shade is desired in the summers. In urban areas, trees help combat the temperature increases caused by hardscape materials.
Trees reduce soil erosion. Trees can reduce sediment movement from a site by 95%. This not only keeps our lakes, rivers and streams cleaner, but also reduces the amount of soil loss into stormwater systems.
Trees reduce stormwater runoff and the amount and costs of engineered water control structures. The value of trees can be measured as the reduction in construction and material costs for stormwater control structures and systems, because trees intercept from 7% to 22% of precipitation.
Trees clean the air producing oxygen and absorbing airborne pollutants and particulates. A large, healthy tree can produce enough oxygen each day for 18 people. Deciduous trees remove up to 9%, and evergreen trees up to 13% of airborne particulate matter.
Trees store carbon. Trees can absorb and store an average of 13 pounds of carbon per tree, per year. A community forest can store as much as 2.6 tons of carbon per acre per year. Community trees across the United States store 6.5 million tons per year.
Trees increase property values. For a single home, trees can provide an owner with a 4% to 27% increase in property value. Trees also attract more residents and visitors to a community, adding value by increasing the community’s tax and economic base.
Trees attract people to businesses. Shoppers are drawn to commercial and retail businesses that are landscaped with trees; businesses on tree-scaped streets show 20% higher income streams.
Trees improve traffic flow and road safety. Properly placed and spaced urban street trees improve motorist safety, slowing speed by 3 to 15 mph and reducing off-road crashes and overall crash severity. Street trees help to divide the roadway from the sidewalk improving pedestrian safety.
Trees decrease crime. By creating more pleasant walking environments trees encourage more pedestrian traffic, neighborhood interaction and pride of place improving surveillance of community spaces.
Trees benefit human health and comfort. Trees have been shown to reduce blood pressure levels, encourage physical activity, speed medical recovery times and improve the attention of those with ADHD.
Trees make sense in Georgia’s communities. For more benefits, visit Green Cities: Good Health.
[…] Benefits of Trees […]