Benefits of Urban Trees

There are many reasons to love trees. Here are just a few of the reasons we should love them even more here in the city!

• Trees reduce air pollution. Pollutant particulates (ash, dust, smoke) cause significant damage to our air quality. The valleys in Utah especially seem to suffer from bad air quality. Trees are able to settle out and trap these irritants, thus improving the air quality. Not only this, but they also take the abundant CO2 emitted by vehicles, lawn mowers, motorcycles, etc. and exchange it with oxygen. Each acre of trees produces enough fresh air for 18 people each day.
• Trees reduce erosion and conserve water. With so much of our city paved, groundwater recharge is cut drastically. Trees increase the groundwater recharge, and help to decrease the negative effects of paving. They also hold soil in place, reducing wind and water erosion and holding back more sedimentation from streams.
• Trees conserve energy. Strategically planted shade trees can reduce energy costs by as much as 30%.  They can reduce the need to use as much heating or cooling in your home by serving as windbreakers and shade-givers.
• Trees make the weather better. By providing shade, humidity, reducing wind speed, and reducing sun glare, trees give us an all-around more hospitable local climate.
• Trees are good for the economy. People are attracted to trees, whether they notice it or not. Homes and apartments with trees sell faster than those without, and people stay longer. Shopping areas with healthy trees encourage shoppers to stay longer, and so spend more. Businesses with trees surrounding them have better employee attendance and have happier employees. Homes with trees around them can have their value go up as much as 15% because of those trees.
• Trees create sound barriers and create wildlife habitats. Song birds make a much prettier background than street sounds do, and trees dampen the sound from the street while promoting wildlife well-being by providing them a place to live.

When you take into account all the reasons there are to love trees, you realize... there's no reason not to love trees!