GROW GREEN!

Benefits of planting a tree

• Provide sound buffers for large urban areas.
• Reduce utility bills (air conditioning in summer, heating in winter) when planted properly.
• Heating: Using trees as windbreaks allows savings of 10% - 20%* Cooling: Shading windows and walls can lower AC costs by 25% - 50%* Reduction of our energy demands reduces our use of fossil fuels.
• Reduces flooding by intercepting rainfall.*
• Produce a sense of rootedness and community.
• Help to cool cities by reducing heat sinks. Heat sinks are 6-19 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than their surroundings. A tree can be a natural air conditioner. The evaporation from a single large tree can produce the cooling effect of 10 room size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.
• Cleans the air. Removes dust, particulates, absorbs ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants.
• Soften harsh contours of buildings.
• Increase commercial and residential property values. Homes on lots with many trees have 6% - 12% higher appraised values. * Trees can help increase the value of your property, sometimes by 10% - 20%.
• Trees act as a carbon-sink by removing the carbon from CO2 and storing it as a cellulose in the trunk while releasing oxygen back into the air. * Trees can absorb carbon dioxide at the rate of 26 pounds per year - especially young trees that are still growing. One tree that shades your home will also save fossil fuel, cutting CO2 buildup as much as 15 forest trees.
• Prevent soil erosion
• Freshen the atmosphere with the trees own pleasant fragrances. For example, 1 cherry tree can perfume the air with 200,000 flowers.
• Provide wildlife habitats for birds, squirrels, etc.
• Provide Privacy.

Related Articles:

Plant a Tree

How to Plant a Tree