Rather than driving through Tim Hortons and picking up your order in a hurry, imagine sitting under an inviting flowering tree, enjoy your morning regular… just outside your downtown office! Planting trees in an urban setting is a worldwide trend, not only because it is a beautiful choice, but a healthy one as well!
As local authorities and developers explore territory growth, the long-term benefits are all pointing to the building and planting processes going together. GreenBlue Urban has compiled an eBook entitled A Guide to the Benefits of Urban Trees, which details the following and many more!
Health – Urban trees have a positive impact on the incidence of skin cancer, asthma, hypertension and stress related illnesses amongst city dwellers. They also provide several additional psychological benefits.
Efficiency – One study conducted calculated that for every one Canadian dollar spent on tree planting would yield over nine dollars of savings in terms of infrastructure and energy costs!
Property Values – Urban trees can increase real estate values. Independent studies show a consistent 5-15% increase in property values in tree lined streets.
Crime Reduction – Researchers have discovered reductions in both violent and petty crime, including domestic violence in locations with mature urban tree planting.
Urban Forest Air Quality – Research has shown a 60% reduction in particulates from exhaust fumes, etc. in streets with urban tree planting. For every 10% increase in a city tree canopy, ozone is reduced by between 3-7%. Consider what an impact trees would make in the Northwest Territories alone (where pollution is known to be the highest in our nation.)
Cooling Effects – One mature tree can produce the same cooling effect as 10 room sized air conditioners. This makes urban trees an effective tool in reducing urban heat islands and hot spots in cities. Trees can save up to 10% of local energy consumption through their moderation of local climate.
Planting trees in urban settings is known to calm traffic, manage storm water, reduce carbon, and so much more. In our Canadian cities, where we commonly fight a very high air quality index (AQI) by using air purifiers indoors, it just makes sense to do all we can to improve our air outdoors as well! A Guide to the Benefits of Urban Trees, is a great place to begin!
