Why trees

This, in turn, has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes Greater exposure to urban greenery can also lead to lower rates of depression, reduced stress, lower rates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD in children, and an improved overall sense of well-being. Trees and other greenery in a hospital setting can help patients recover faster from their physical ailments.

In addition, trees are a core element in therapeutic gardens, which are specially designed to improve the mental well-being of the elderly and people with dementia. In a therapeutic garden, trees can be used to provide respite from the heat, and to evoke the senses e.

Studies have shown that commercial locations with more trees experience better foot traffic and retail volume. Property developers often use the allure of greenery provided by trees to market their properties, and in some cases, the presence of trees can increase property value.

By lowering ambient temperatures, trees also help businesses save electricity by reducing the use of air conditioning. In addition, trees provide ecosystem services, such as stormwater interception, which would otherwise require even greater infrastructural investments.

Finally, the tropical tree-lined streets of Singapore give us a distinctive global identity as a biophilic City in a Garden. Benefits of Trees Find out why trees are so important to people and cities. Scroll Left Scroll Rigth. Trees lower air temperatures and humidity; they can also influence wind speed. Evaporation of water from trees, or transpiration, has a cooling effect.

Trees in parking lots have been shown to reduce asphalt temperatures by 36 degrees Fahrenheit and car interiors by up to 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Three or more large trees strategically placed on sunny sides of a house shade it from the hot summer sun, reducing air-conditioning costs by as much as 30 percent.

Deciduous trees are best for this use because they lose their leaves in winter, exposing the house to the warming winter sun, which lowers the energy needed to heat the house.

Coniferous trees, because they retain their needles year-round, serve to reduce wind when placed on the north and northwest sides of a building, resulting in significantly lower winter heating costs. Economic analyses have found that the value of homes near trees is 9 to 15 percent higher than homes without. Research shows that shoppers linger longer along a shaded avenue than one barren of trees and are even willing to pay more for goods and services.

Wherever trees are established, wildlife and other plants are sure to follow, ensuring a healthier ecosystem. Trees provide shelter and food for a variety of birds and small animals. Research demonstrates that exposure to trees has a relaxing effect on humans, reducing stress and imparting a sense of well-being. Small business opportunities in green waste management and landscaping arise when cities value mulching and its water-saving qualities.

Vocational training for youth interested in green jobs is also a great way to develop economic opportunities from trees. Whether as houses for children or creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have provided the space for human retreat throughout the ages.

Tree plantings provide an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment that improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods. All cultures, ages, and genders have an important role to play at a tree planting or tree care event.

Trees as landmarks can give a neighborhood a new identity and encourage civic pride. Sycamore and oak are among the many urban species that provide excellent urban homes for birds, bees, possums and squirrels.

Trees can mask concrete walls or parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound from nearby streets and freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of green. Trees absorb dust and wind and reduce glare. In suburban and rural areas, trees can be selectively harvested for fuel and craft wood.

When You Plant Trees You protect and revitalize land. You prevent flooding, erosion, and landslides. When You Plant Trees You capture carbon and other greenhouse gases.

When You Plant Trees You restore biodiversity, bringing beneficial animals and insects back to the land. When You Plant Trees You promote sustainable farming practices that embrace trees instead of clearing them. When You Plant Trees You build healthy soil so that a variety of fruits and vegetables can grow to eat and sell. When You Plant Trees You give families a supermarket in their own backyard.

When You Plant Trees You increase paydays and income of farmers who once lived in extreme poverty.