Community Update

Researchers from the Davey Institute and the U.S. Forest
Service Discover Trees Save

“An Average of One Life Every Year per City”

Trees save lives! According to new research just released from the U.S.
Forest Service and the Davey Institute, urban forests across
the country save thousands of lives every year. Trees not only save
lives, but according to the study,
they reduce hospital visits and the number of days taken off work, and help
people nationwide breathe better. They do this simply by collecting pollutants on
their leaves and branches and thus remove them from the air.

The study focused on the health benefits of trees in 10 major
cities across the county, from San Francisco to Boston. According to other
research, the benefits of trees go beyond health issues. Yes, trees clean the air,
but they can also improve home values, reduce air conditioning use and provide
a center of peace in a hectic schedule. 

Read on to learn about the environmental, economical, and
emotional benefits of trees:

Environmental

Trees Clean the Air: A forest
acts as a giant filter that cleans the air we breathe. The study reported that
trees help clean the air by intercepting airborne particles, cooling the air,
and absorbing pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide & nitrogen
dioxide. In fact, we could not exist as we do if there were no trees. A mature
leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year.

Trees Benefit the Soil: Trees
can store harmful pollutants and actually change the pollutant into less
harmful forms. Trees filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of
animal wastes, clean roadside spills and clean water runoff into streams. Plus,
trees control soil erosion. Tree roots bind the soil and their leaves break the
force of wind and rain on soil. Trees fight soil erosion, conserve rainwater
and reduce sediment deposit after storms.

Economical

Trees Increase Property
Value: Real estate values can increase when trees are planted. Data shows
that buyers are willing to spend 3-7% more on home with ample trees vs. few or
no trees.

Trees
Shade and Cool: Shade resulting in cooling is what a tree is best known
for. Shade from trees reduces the need for air conditioning in summer. Studies
have shown that parts of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally
be "heat islands" with temperatures as much as 12 degrees F higher
than surrounding areas.

Emotional

Impact of Trees on Neighborhood
Violence: Trees reduce levels of domestic violence and foster safer, more
sociable neighborhoods. Places with nature and trees may provide settings in
which relationships grow stronger and violence is reduced.

Trees bring people together:
Data shows that neighborhoods with shady streets and parks create outdoor
spaces that attract people. When people are drawn to spaces with trees, they
are more likely to see and interact with their neighbors, more likely to get to
know each other and become friends.