Benefits of Planting Trees

TREE PLANTING AND CONSERVATION PLAN
Benefits of Planting Trees

There are many benefits to tree planting and conservation in our community, both for the environment and for ourselves as residents. From an environmental standpoint, trees improve groundwater quality, reduce flooding, prevent soil erosion, act as windbreakers, improve air quality, compensate potential grounds of global warming, and provide habitat, food and protection for local birds and wildlife. As residents, trees help protect well water quality, provide shade and privacy, improves the chances of observing wildlife, and adds real estate and aesthetic value to the property.

Air Quality

Urban forests provide benefit to the environment through air pollutant uptake and reductions in atmospheric carbon dioxide, otherwise known as the greenhouse effect. One fully-grown tree can produce enough oxygen for four people, and over a span of fifty years, a single tree can remove 60,000 pounds of air pollution. Trees remove air pollution by lowering air temperature through its respiration, and by containing the pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Street dust can be reduced by 25% with a single row of trees. Each healthy tree can decrease airborne dust particles by as much as 7,000 particles per litre of air. In this manner a tree acts as a purifier and air conditioner.

Water Quantity & Quality

Studies have demonstrated that urban forests help reduce the quantity of stormwater flows and improve the quality of stormwater runoff. Trees function as holding and confinement basins by catching rainfall and reducing run-off. Based on a 25mm rainfall, approximately 25% of the rain is intercepted and retained in the mulch layer. The actual runoff quantity benefits depend on the type of tree, the density of its canopy, the level of maintenance and the time of year. Water quality benefits by having pollutants eliminated by uptake and storage, the prevention of soil erosion, and reducing the overall quantity of stormwater runoff. Trees along waterways can eliminate over 75% of the nitrates in the ground water before the pollutants are able to reach the waterways.

Energy Savings

The east, west, and south walls of your home receive the most sun, therefore planting deciduous trees around the house will provide shade, and in turn reduce cooling bills in summer months. They can reduce up to 50% of the energy consumption of air conditioners. By planting a row of conifers on the north side, you will reduce heating bills by the windbreak provided by the trees. By slowing the strong winter winds, this windbreaker may help reduce heating costs by 20-40%. By acting as barriers to snow drifts, trees can lower winter plowing costs and reduce vehicular accidents in snow covered conditions.

Natural Habitat

Trees provide living space and a source of food for birds and other local wildlife.

Property Value

Trees create a pleasant and relaxing environment. Some related benefits include noise reduction and absorption. Trees strategically planted can muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stone walls. They provide beautiful colours to fall landscapes and provide excellent garden mulch. On average, trees increase property values up to 20%.

>> Related Links to continue reading about Tree Planting and Conservation Plan:

ARBORPLAN CONSULTANTS
Arborists
923 Beauclaire Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1C 2J5