Benefits of Trees
We are all aware of the common benefits such as beauty, shade, wildlife habitat,
and oxygen production that trees provide us, but did you know that trees
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Reduce annual heating and cooling costs for a typical residence by 8-12%
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Improve air quality by absorbing hundreds of pounds of air pollutants that effect
our health
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Improve water quality and reduce community flooding by absorbing and intercepting
rainfall in their canopies, thus reducing stormwater that often carries pollutants
to waterways
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Stimulate retail and commercial business districts by attracting shoppers, increasing
sales and revitalizing declining downtowns
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Increase property values by 10-15% (one study in Kensington area of Philadelphia
showed a 9% increase, or $3,400 from the presence of a newly planted tree with 50
feet of the house)
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Reduce stress, fatigue, and aggression in humans
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Reduce a hospital patient’s recovery time when there are views of trees and greenery
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Improve the concentration of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
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Calm and slow down traffic along streets
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Reduce crime and increase social ties
- Reduce exposure to harmful UV rays that are causing increases in skin cancer and
cataracts
For more in-depth information about how trees are helping our lives and caring for
us visit the following websites:
Trees Pay Us Back – an excellent site developed by the USDA Forest Service
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/urban/treespayusback/index.shtm
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/urban/treespayusback/vol2/index.html
Research on the Social Benefits of Trees done by the University of Illinois
http://www.herl.uiuc.edu/
USDA Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research – research on the energy, air, and water benefits of trees
http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/cufr/
Human Dimensions of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening – Kathleen Wolf, University of WA
http://www.cfr.washington.edu/research.envmind/
PennSCAPES – a multimedia program for neighborhood planning and design with trees
http://www.pennscapes.psu.edu/pennscapes/default.htm
Tree Link – a website with a great deal of information about the benefits of trees
http://www.treelink.org