| US TREE SERVICE |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Benefits of Trees
Social Benefits
We like trees around us because they make life more pleasant. Most of us respond to
the presence of trees beyond simply observing their beauty. We feel serene, peaceful,
restful, and tranquil in a grove of trees. We are “at home” there. Hospital patients have
been shown to recover from surgery more quickly when their hospital room offered a
view of trees. The strong ties between people and trees are most evident in the
resistance of community residents to removing trees to widen streets. Or we note the
heroic efforts of individuals and organizations to save particularly large or historic trees
in a community.
The stature, strength, and endurance of trees give them a cathedral-like quality.
Because of their potential for long life, trees frequently are planted as living memorials.
We often become personally attached to trees that we or those we love have planted.
Communal Benefits
Even though trees may be private property, their size often makes them part of the
community as well. Because trees occupy considerable space, planning is required if
both you and your neighbors are to benefit. With proper selection and maintenance,
trees can enhance and function on one property without infringing on the rights and
privileges of neighbors.
City trees often serve several architectural and engineering functions. They provide
privacy, emphasize views, or screen out objectionable views. They reduce glare and
reflection. They direct pedestrian traffic. They provide background to and soften,
complement, or enhance architecture.
Environmental Benefits
Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality,
conserving water, and harboring wildlife. Climate control is obtained by moderating the
effects of sun, wind, and rain. Radiant energy from the sun is absorbed or deflected by
leaves on deciduous trees in the summer and is only filtered by branches of deciduous
trees in winter. We are cooler when we stand in the shade of trees and are not exposed
to direct sunlight. In winter, we value the sun’s radiant energy. Therefore, we should
plant only small or deciduous trees on the south side of homes.
Wind speed and direction can be affected by trees. The more compact the foliage on
the tree or group of trees, the greater the influence of the windbreak. The downward fall
of rain, sleet, and hail is initially absorbed or deflected by trees, which provides some
protection for people, pets, and buildings. Trees intercept water, store some of it, and
reduce storm runoff and the possibility of flooding.
Dew and frost are less common under trees because less radiant energy is released
from the soil in those areas at night.
Temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The larger the
tree, the greater the cooling. By using trees in the cities, we are able to moderate the
heat-island effect caused by pavement and buildings in commercial areas.
Air quality can be improved through the use of trees, shrubs, and turf. Leaves filter the
air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates. Rain then washes the pollutants
to the ground. Leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air to form carbohydrates that are
used in the plant’s structure and function. In this process, leaves also absorb other air
pollutants—such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide—and give off oxygen.
By planting trees and shrubs, we return to a more natural, less artificial environment.
Birds and other wildlife are attracted to the area. The natural cycles of plant growth,
reproduction, and decomposition are again present, both above and below ground.
Natural harmony is restored to the urban environment.
Economic Benefits
Individual trees and shrubs have value, but the variability of species, size, condition, and
function makes determining their economic value difficult. The economic benefits of
trees can be both direct and indirect. Direct economic benefits are usually associated
with energy costs. Air-conditioning costs are lower in a tree-shaded home. Heating costs
are reduced when a home has a windbreak. Trees increase in value from the time they
are planted until they mature. Trees are a wise investment of funds because
landscaped homes are more valuable than nonlandscaped homes. The savings in
energy costs and the increase in property value directly benefit each home owner.
The indirect economic benefits of trees are even greater. These benefits are available
to the community or region. Lowered electricity bills are paid by customers when power
companies are able to use less water in their cooling towers, build fewer new facilities to
meet peak demands, use reduced amounts of fossil fuel in their furnaces, and use fewer
measures to control air pollution. Communities also can save money if fewer facilities
must be built to control storm water in the region. To the individual, these savings are
small, but to the community, reductions in these expenses are often in the thousands of
dollars
Social Benefits
We like trees around us because they make life more pleasant. Most of us respond to
the presence of trees beyond simply observing their beauty. We feel serene, peaceful,
restful, and tranquil in a grove of trees. We are “at home” there. Hospital patients have
been shown to recover from surgery more quickly when their hospital room offered a
view of trees. The strong ties between people and trees are most evident in the
resistance of community residents to removing trees to widen streets. Or we note the
heroic efforts of individuals and organizations to save particularly large or historic trees
in a community.
The stature, strength, and endurance of trees give them a cathedral-like quality.
Because of their potential for long life, trees frequently are planted as living memorials.
We often become personally attached to trees that we or those we love have planted.
Communal Benefits
Even though trees may be private property, their size often makes them part of the
community as well. Because trees occupy considerable space, planning is required if
both you and your neighbors are to benefit. With proper selection and maintenance,
trees can enhance and function on one property without infringing on the rights and
privileges of neighbors.
City trees often serve several architectural and engineering functions. They provide
privacy, emphasize views, or screen out objectionable views. They reduce glare and
reflection. They direct pedestrian traffic. They provide background to and soften,
complement, or enhance architecture.
Environmental Benefits
Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality,
conserving water, and harboring wildlife. Climate control is obtained by moderating the
effects of sun, wind, and rain. Radiant energy from the sun is absorbed or deflected by
leaves on deciduous trees in the summer and is only filtered by branches of deciduous
trees in winter. We are cooler when we stand in the shade of trees and are not exposed
to direct sunlight. In winter, we value the sun’s radiant energy. Therefore, we should
plant only small or deciduous trees on the south side of homes.
Wind speed and direction can be affected by trees. The more compact the foliage on
the tree or group of trees, the greater the influence of the windbreak. The downward fall
of rain, sleet, and hail is initially absorbed or deflected by trees, which provides some
protection for people, pets, and buildings. Trees intercept water, store some of it, and
reduce storm runoff and the possibility of flooding.
Dew and frost are less common under trees because less radiant energy is released
from the soil in those areas at night.
Temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The larger the
tree, the greater the cooling. By using trees in the cities, we are able to moderate the
heat-island effect caused by pavement and buildings in commercial areas.
Air quality can be improved through the use of trees, shrubs, and turf. Leaves filter the
air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates. Rain then washes the pollutants
to the ground. Leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air to form carbohydrates that are
used in the plant’s structure and function. In this process, leaves also absorb other air
pollutants—such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide—and give off oxygen.
By planting trees and shrubs, we return to a more natural, less artificial environment.
Birds and other wildlife are attracted to the area. The natural cycles of plant growth,
reproduction, and decomposition are again present, both above and below ground.
Natural harmony is restored to the urban environment.
Economic Benefits
Individual trees and shrubs have value, but the variability of species, size, condition, and
function makes determining their economic value difficult. The economic benefits of
trees can be both direct and indirect. Direct economic benefits are usually associated
with energy costs. Air-conditioning costs are lower in a tree-shaded home. Heating costs
are reduced when a home has a windbreak. Trees increase in value from the time they
are planted until they mature. Trees are a wise investment of funds because
landscaped homes are more valuable than nonlandscaped homes. The savings in
energy costs and the increase in property value directly benefit each home owner.
The indirect economic benefits of trees are even greater. These benefits are available
to the community or region. Lowered electricity bills are paid by customers when power
companies are able to use less water in their cooling towers, build fewer new facilities to
meet peak demands, use reduced amounts of fossil fuel in their furnaces, and use fewer
measures to control air pollution. Communities also can save money if fewer facilities
must be built to control storm water in the region. To the individual, these savings are
small, but to the community, reductions in these expenses are often in the thousands of
dollars
are planted to provide beauty or shade. These are
two excellent reasons for their use. Woody plants
also serve many other purposes, and it often is
helpful to consider these other functions when
selecting a tree or shrub for the landscape. The
communal, environmental, and economic
categories.
two excellent reasons for their use. Woody plants
also serve many other purposes, and it often is
helpful to consider these other functions when
selecting a tree or shrub for the landscape. The
communal, environmental, and economic
categories.
Trees provide numerous aesthetic and economic benefits but also incur some costs.
You need to be aware that an investment is required for your trees to provide the
purchased and planted. Initial care almost always includes some watering. Leaf, branch,
and whole tree removal and disposal can be expensive.
To function well in the landscape, trees require maintenance. Much can be done by the
informed home owner. Corrective pruning and mulching gives trees a good start. Shade
trees, however, quickly grow to a size that may require the services of a professional
arborist. Arborists have the knowledge and equipment needed to prune, spray, fertilize,
and otherwise maintain a large tree. Your garden center owner, university extension
agent, community forester, or consulting arborist can answer questions about tree
maintenance, suggest treatments, or recommend qualified arborists.
The PHC Alternative
Maintaining mature landscapes is a complicated undertaking. You may wish to consider
a professional plant health care (PHC) maintenance program that is now available from
many landscape care companies. The program is designed to maintain plant vigor and
initially should include inspections to detect and treat any existing problems that could
be damaging or fatal. Thereafter, regular inspections and preventive maintenance help
ensure plant health and beauty.
