Benefits of the Community Forest

It goes without saying that trees are a vital part of our community infrastructure. They have a
tremendous impact on the economic and sociological climate in a community; are vital to
community health; and add immeasurably to the enhancement and enjoyment of our
environment.

Economic
Property values
Each large front yard tree adds 1% to sales price
Large specimen tree can add 10% or more to property value
Land development Issues: when trees are cut down for
development; environmental, social, and economic benefits
are
reduced because trees less than 15-20 years old provide fewer
benefits than existing, older trees provide
Retail returns
More frequent shopping
Longer shopping trips
Shoppers spend more for parking
Shoppers spend 12% more for goods
Increased value and occupancy of apartment rentals
Lower energy costs
Save up to 30% of annual cooling costs
Save 10 25% of energy used for heating
Lower cost of healthcare and other social programs
Shorter hospital stays
Less health problems due to sun exposure and breathing problems
Lower need and cost of city infrastructures and maintenance
Trees and green space absorb runoff, thus reducing the need for
additional sewers and drainage infrastructure

Environmental
Reduction of heat blistering effect
Cities are 5 to 9 warmer than surrounding rural areas
Street trees can reduce temperatures by 27
Street trees aid greatly in the abatement of ozone that gathers close to the
concrete in hot temperatures. Where there are not green areas, the amount of
evapotranspiration decreases because energy that would be used for
evapotranspiration instead heats the city
Parking Lot Microclimate
o The cooler the air, the lower the rate of evaporation from
gas tanks, hoses, and vehicle fabrics.
o Cooler air temperatures reduce ozone concentrations by
lowering hydrocarbon emissions.
o Reduction of temperature as a result of trees can be as
much as 36 on the lot; vehicle cabin temperatures by over
47, and fuel tank temperatures by nearly 7.
Absorption of noxious gases
100 trees remove 5 tons of CO
100 trees remove about 1000 lbs of pollutants/year
400 lbs of ozone and 300 lbs of particulates
o Leaves absorb particulates floating in the air and help
combat smog by
soaking up hydrocarbons
Reduction of stormwater run-off
100 mature trees catch about 250,000 gallons of rainwater/year
Decrease polluted runoff
Decrease soil and hill erosion
Savings in community investment in additional drainage infrastructure
Wildlife Preservation and Conservation
Creates canopies and habitats for animals
Reduction of Pollution and Nonrenewable Energy Use
EPA studies show that 3 to 8% of electricity cities use in summer
goes to compensate for heat-island effect
Cooler temperatures mean more people are likely to go outdoors and use
alternative forms of transportation (for example, bikes instead of
cars)
Add more trees to reduce the fraction of air pollution moving out of the
ecosystem, thus increasing the greenhouse effect

Sociological
Lower levels of domestic and neighborhood violence
Residential buildings with high levels of vegetation had over 50% fewer
total crimes
More sociability of neighborstrees are communication magnets

Planting trees themselves gives people stronger community ties and

greater satisfaction with the effects and their neighborhoods
Health issues
There are an estimated 50,000 to 120,000 premature deaths each year in
the U.S. and $40-50 billion in health costs related to human exposure
to outdoor air pollutants
Drainage ditches (instead of natural absorption of rainwater by trees)
come with the costs of mosquitoes, foul-smelling algae, and the
potential for illegal dumping
Less sun related cancers, asthma
o Costs for asthma exceed $4 billion a year
Green vistas speed recovery times and decrease need for medication
Reduction of stress; increased coping abilities
Trees slow down traffic

Aesthetics
More attractive; softens landscape
People are drawn to shady, green areas
Screens high frequency noise
Leaves absorb noise
Screens visually
Trees hide unpleasant views.
Trees reduce glare and reflection