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TreeScapes Make a Greener Economy
Mature and canopy trees increase the value of residential and
commercial properties, based on widely-recognized livability
factors. Treescaping increases residential property values by an
average of 5-9 percent and general property values by a median of 19
percent
and tree scaped properties sell more rapidly.
Greenscapes make pleasing and memorable first impressions and
are persuasive features in business and recreational tourism.
Environmental psychologists confirm that consumers
prefer landscaped shopping districts and will pay up to 12
percent more
for services and as much as 50 percent more for convenience goods, from
merchants located in green spaces.
Reduce Your Energy Costs
Trees can lower air temperatures by transpiring water and
shading surfaces. Recent independent studies confirm that
well-shaded neighborhoods can run up to 10°F cooler than their
deforested counterparts. The cover from properly placed trees
(western and southern exposures) can reduce home
air-conditioning costs by as much as 30 percent and cut up to 25
percent
against winter heating bills.
Research studies estimate that if only three trees were added to
each unshaded home property nationwide, we might realize over $2
billion annually in energy cost savings.
This natural cooling ability of trees is highly effective
wherever so-called heat islands or concentrations of paved and
covered surfaces (such as parking lots, sidewalks and rooftops)
exist. In the absence of shade trees, these constructed surfaces
freely absorb heat and are responsible for increased
ground-level production of ozone.
Remove Pollutants and Generate
Oxygen
Trees resuscitate our world through photosynthesis, and capture
pollutants and other detrimental by-products of our mechanized
lifestyle in exchange for oxygen.
- The leaves, bark, trunk and root systems of trees act as
natural filters to sequester carbon, and inhibit production
of CO2 (the primary greenhouse gas).
- Trees also retain the two major components of acid rain
and ozone pollution, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide.
- 100 mature trees can capture five tons of carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere annually.
- A healthy, mature ash tree produces about 260 pounds of
net oxygen each year.
- That’s roughly 2/3 the average oxygen consumption
per typical adult.
- A single acre of trees can generate enough oxygen daily
for 18 people.
- Trees efficiently intercept particle matter, such as
pollen, dust, smoke and ash.
We Benefit from the Relationship
Between Trees and Water
In natural forests at least 75 percent of all rainfall is captured by
tree cover and released back into the atmosphere or absorbed
into the ground. By contrast, in a typical urban community, less
than 40 percent of all rainfall is environmentally conserved.
Because leaf systems naturally intercept rainfall and tree base
and root networks tackle the challenge of stemming and filtering
stormwater runoff.
- A mature bald cypress can absorb up to 700 gallons of
water per day.
- Certain pollutants contained in surface - elements that
threaten our health and the integrity of our inland and
coastal waters - are actually extracted from runoff by trees
and processed as glucose.
- Tree root systems are capable of combating up to 95
percent of
ground erosion that occurs in developing and developed
landscapes.
Trees Advance Health and Healthy
Lifestyles
Research shows that a green space environment reduces both
mental and physical stress responses. Safe green environments
have been connected to reduced levels of domestic violence and
are said to foster safer, more socialized neighborhoods.
- Trees have a calming effect on drivers, along public
streets, reducing speed and accident rates.
- Shade trees reduce exposure to ultraviolet light,
lowering our risk to skin cancer and cataracts.
- Trees moderate temperatures in outdoor spaces.
- Trees encourage physical exercise and communal
activities.
- Trees reduce noise pollution through buffering and
absorption of urban noise.
- Mental acuity is enhanced by verdant surroundings and
workplaces with nature views reap a more productive
workforce, with 23 percent less absenteeism and a superior job
satisfaction.
- Surrounded by greenscapes, psychiatric patients exhibit
heightened socialization and reduced negative behavior.
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