Why Trees?

Studies have linked urban trees to

Community Safety

• reduced crime rates
• slower traffic speeds – drivers slow down when streets feel narrow
• reduced loss of life from heat waves
• Cleaner air to breath

Environmental Resilience

• Water interception, absorption, and filtering during storm events
• Air and surface temperature cooling during heat waves
• Air quality – interception of particulates, absorption of carbon dioxide, release of oxygen.

Well Being and Mental Health

• Mental health benefits
• Spending less money on health care
• Higher birth weights

Community Wealth

• Reduced costs to cool homes from shade
• Increased property values
• Storm water management (instead of retention ponds)