Trees outstrip most people in the extent and depth of their work for the public good. -- Sara Ebenreck, American Forests

Last month’s Town and Tree column began a two-part series on the social, economic and environmental services that trees provide.  Part one of the series reviewed the human health and safety benefits of trees, as well as the benefits to protecting property and making businesses more inviting.  Part II will explore additional economic, as well as the environmental, gifts of trees.

Shade, Cooling and Energy Conservation

For most people, this is the first benefit that comes to mind, especially during the Central Valley’s scorching summers.  My first experience with Woodland was as an undergraduate at UC-Davis.  I biked from Davis to a summer job in Woodland each day.  How I looked forward to reaching those canopied, tree-lined streets of Woodland.  The coolness, the calm quiet of passing through those tunnels of trees was just what I needed after 13 miles of cranking the pedals. 

A benefit of shade that we can all understand with our pocket books is energy conservation.  Well-placed trees around a home can save up to 58 percent in daytime air conditioning costs, and between 20-25 percent in annual energy costs.  The Trust for Public Land estimated that if every un-shaded single-family American home had planted three trees around it, the nation could save around $3 billion in energy costs every year.

Beauty and the Bottom Line

I think that a healthy, mature shade tree is beautiful to behold.  Apparently many homebuyers do too.  Studies have documented a 5 to 19 percent increase in the value of properties with trees versus similar properties without trees. This is important to the homeowner concerned with resale value. It is also benefits the city, which collects taxes on the increased property value.

Air Quality

Trees remove pollutants from the air by absorbing them through their leaves.  If I planted four trees each year of my life, I would offset all of the air pollution my life would generate. 

Tree leaves also filter dust and soot from the air. Trees can reduce up to 60 percent of airborne particulates that reach the street level of or our lungs.

Combating Climate Change  

One easy and cost-effective action that we can take to help slow or mitigate the effects of global climate change is to plant trees.  Carbon dioxide is the major gas contributing to global warming.  People, cars, factories and energy plants all emit carbon dioxide.  Fortunately, trees suck up carbon dioxide.   If every American family were to plant one tree, we could reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that humans pump into the atmosphere each year by five percent.  What if we planted, or contributed to, the annual planting of 20 trees?

Water Management

Trees reduce topsoil erosion.  Trees also reduce chemical and sediment-laden storm-water runoff, and improve the infiltration of rainfall into the soil and groundwater, thereby improving water quality, reducing flooding and protecting aquatic wildlife.

Wildlife

One of the best things we can do to attract birds is to plant a tree.  I live in downtown Woodland, but have a view out my back door of at least nine large Valley Oak trees.  These trees are alive with birds of all kinds throughout the seasons.  A neighbor’s tree is home to a beehive.  Raccoons, opossums, bats and owls emerge from an old elm at night to provide us with summer-time entertainment.

Exercise, Quiet and Compost

Another reason I love my trees is for the noise reduction they provide. Then, even when they fall to the ground, they produce value as a source of raw material for my garden’s compost bin.  The benefits of leaves don’t stop there.  I use a rake on my leaves and get some free exercise.

The Staples of Life:  Food, Energy, Art and Shelter

Finally, what would California be without its fresh fruits and nuts?  But even after their lives are done, tree benefits don’t stop.   The large elm just removed from my neighborhood will likely go to the local biomass plant where it will be converted to energy for the grid.  In many cities, removed street trees are sold for furniture making or firewood.  And, of course, trees supply us with basic construction material.

The bottom line: According to UC Davis Urban Forester, Dr. Greg McPherson, street trees return $1.89 in benefits for every $1.00 they cost.  Save some money; plant a tree.