Benefits of Urban Trees

Trees make communities livable for people.  Trees add beauty and create an environment beneficial to our mental health.

• Adds natural character to our cities and towns
• Provide us with colors, flowers, and beautiful shapes, forms and textures
• Screens harsh scenery
• Soften the outline of masonry, metal and glass
• Can be used architecturally to provide space definition and landscape continuity

Trees impact deeply on our moods and emotions, providing psychological benefits impossible to measure.

• Create feelings of relaxation and well-being
• Provide privacy and a sense of solitude and security
• Shorten post-operative hospital stays when patients are placed in rooms with a view of trees and open spaces

A well-managed urban forest contributes to a sense of community pride and ownership.

Benefits of Trees

1. Trees conserve water and reduce soil erosion
2. Trees save energy
3. Trees modify local climate
4. Lower air temperature through shade
   • Increase humidity in dry climates through evaporation of moisture
   • Reduce glare on sunny days
   • Reduce wind speed
5. Trees increase economic stability
   • Trees enhance community economic stability by attracting businesses and tourists
   • People linger and shop loner along tree-lined streets
   • Apartments and office in wooded areas rent more quickly, have higher occupancy rates and tenants stay longer
   • Businesses leasing office space in wooded developments find their workers are more productive and absenteeism is reduced
6. Trees reduce noise pollution
7. Trees create wildlife and plant diversity
8. Trees increase property values
   • Healthy trees can add up to 15 percent to residential property values
   • Office and industrial space in a wooded setting is in more demand and is more valuable to sell or rent
9. Trees exceed the life of pavement