• The benefits of trees are many. Trees provide critical public services and goods that are often overlooked (or perceived as a limitless resource); however, in the absence of trees, these services would cost us billions of dollars to replace with manufactured solutions. Most importantly, trees improve the health, quality of life, and the well-being of the people who live near them. By protecting trees, we protect ourselves. Arborwise Tree Service goes into some of the benefits of trees.

    Air Quality

    While the physical reactions that create air pollution are complex, a major element in the formation of pollution is air temperature. Temperature contributes to the production of smog, and ozone in particular. Another benefit of trees helps reduce the production of ozone by reducing air temperature through shading and evapotranspiration (American Forests, April 1996).

    Additionally, trees reduce air pollution by intercepting airborne particulates and by absorbing gaseous pollutants. The U.S. Forest Service puts a $3.8 billion value on the air pollution annually removed by urban trees. According to a Nature Conservancy study, “most of the cooling and filtering effects created by trees are fairly localized, so densely populated cities—as well as those with higher overall pollution levels—tend to see the highest overall return on investment (ROI) from tree plantings.”

    Biodiversity

    Urban forestry can greatly contribute to the increase and conservation of local biodiversity. Strategically placed trees combined with shrubs, grasses and other food sources provide habitats for a diverse population of wildlife. Fruit (seeds, nuts, etc.) from trees provide food, and the entire tree serves to support diversity of wildlife, that in turn improves the plant diversity through pollination and dispersal of seeds. 

    Trees and forests provide shelter and habitat. A mature oak tree can support over 500 types of pollinators through the seasons, in particular during their larvae and caterpillar stages. Live or fallen trees, leaves, branches, and trunks create habitat for insects, bugs, and amphibians. In particular for pollinators, we often think of seasonal flowers, but trees provide year round habitat and food. Trees also flower, supporting thousands of blooms. 

    Increasing plant diversity also improves wildlife diversity. In cities, we have wildlife beyond birds, butterflies, and squirrels; we can observe coyotes, opossums, bats, and snakes in urban areas. All are beneficial and play a role in our urban ecosystem. 

    Canopy Cooling Effect in Urban Heat Islands

    The buildings, roads, and other “impervious” surfaces in a city create “heat islands” — areas where temperatures can be up to 22 degrees higher than in the rural areas around it. According to the EPA, heat islands create greater need for air conditioning and energy consumption, air and water pollution, and higher mortality. 

    Heat waves are believed to cause more deaths in the United States than all other natural disasters combined. Trees properly placed can lower temperatures as much as 5 degrees F (American Forests, 1995a) in these heat islands. Tree-lined streets and greenspace with abundant trees not only have an aesthetic value, but the tree canopy provides cool comfort for pedestrians and cyclists on hot days. 

    Carbon Sequestration

    Trees in urban areas reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere in two ways. First, they store carbon as they grow. Second, they reduce the energy needed for urban heating and cooling, which in turn reduces the amount of carbon dioxide produced by fossil-fuel power plants. For more information on the benefit of trees, contact Arborwise Tree Service now!

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