Research shows that trees benefit communities in these ways:

Energy Savings

• Streets with little or no shade need to be re-paved twice as often as those with 30 percent tree cover.¹
• Just three strategically placed trees can decrease utility bills by 50 percent.²
• Trees reduce the amount of water runoff from rain and clean the water that does run off, saving billions of dollars otherwise needed for storm water control and water treatment facilities.³

Economic Improvement

• Residential property values can increase five percent to 12 percent if landscaping includes trees.⁴
• Workers with views of green spaces from their desks report 23 percent fewer instances of illness.⁵

Environmental Health

• Each year an acre of trees absorbs the amount of carbon produced by driving a car for 26,000 miles.⁶
• Trees cool city heat islands by 10 degrees to 20 degrees, thus reducing ozone levels and helping cities meet the air quality standards required for disbursement of federal funds.⁷

Social and Safety for Residents

• Crime rates decrease in areas with more greenery.⁸
• Access to green areas reduces stress and aggression for people who live in urban environments.⁹

Educational

• Children who have a view of greenery in their lives perform better in school.¹⁰
• Increased exposure to nature enhances the ability of children to follow directions.¹¹
• Access to green spaces relieves the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD), resulting in better concentration.¹²

Climate Change

• By creating shade, trees moderate temperatures both globally and in the micro-climates of cities and counties.¹³
• One acre of forests absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide annually and puts out over four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.¹⁴
• Trees increase humidity in dry climates through evaporation of water from their leaves into the atmosphere.¹⁵

1. McPherson, Gegory, and Jules Muchnick. "Effects of Street Tree Shade on Asphalt and Concrete Pavement Performance." Journal of Arboriculture 31.6 (2005): 303-10. Web.
   
2. Parker, John H. "Landscaping to Reduce the Energy Used in Cooling Buildings." Journal of Forestry 81.2 (1983): 82-105. Society of American Foresters. Web.
   
3. Dwyer, John F., Gregory E. McPherson, Herbert W. Schroeder, and Rowan A. Rowntree. "Assessing the Benefits and Costs of Urban Forests." Journal of Arboriculture 18.5 (1992). Web.
   
4. Behe, B., J. Hardy, S. Barton, J. Brooker, T. Fernandez, C. Hall, J. Hicks, R. Hinson, P. Knight, R. McNiel, T. Page, B. Rowe, C. Safley, and R. Schutzki. 2005. Landscape plant material, size, and design sophistication increase perceived home value. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 23:127-133. Web.
   
5. Kaplan, Rachel, and Stephen Kaplan. The Experience of Nature: a Psychological Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1989. Web.
   
6. Nowak, David J., “Benefits of Community Trees”,  (Brooklyn Trees, USDA Forest Service General Technical Report, in review)
   
7. Hilltop Arboretum. “Nature the Changing Climate and You: Act Locally!” 5.4 (2007). Web.
   
8. Kuo, Frances, and William Sullivan. “Environment and Crime in the Inner City: Does Vegetation Reduce Crime?” Environment and Behavior 33.3 (2001). Web.
   
9. Ulrich, Roger S. "The Value of Trees to a Community” Arbor Day Foundation. Web. 27 June 2011.
   
10. Faber Taylor, A., Kuo, F.E., & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). “Views of Nature and Self-Discipline: Evidence from Inner City Children.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21. Web.
    
11. Barros, R. M., Silver, E. J., & Stein, R. E. K. (2009). School recess and group classroom behavior. Pediatrics, 23(2), 431-436. Web.
    
12. Taylor, Andrea, Frances Kuo, and Williams Sullivan. "Coping with ADD the Surprising Connection to Green Play Settings." Environment and Behavior (2001). Web.
    
13. “The Value of Community Forests.” Southeast Watershed Forum. Web.
14. Ulrich, Roger S. "The Value of Trees to a Community” Arbor Day Foundation. Web. 27 June 2011.
15. Mississippi Forestry Commission. “Man’s Best Friend—The Tree” MFC Publication #30 (2007). Web.