Explore the many ways trees help our communities survive and thrive.
Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide in their woody bodies, making them an affordable and easy way to mitigate climate change.
Quick fact: One acre of forest can absorb two cars worth of carbon emissions each year.
Trees trap more than just carbon dioxide. They also remove harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter.
Quick fact: Certain tree species like yew and birch can remove up to 70% of ultrafine pollutants from the air.
Trees protect us from stormwater runoff. Their leaves slow rainfall’s impact and their roots absorb water and anchor the soil to prevent erosion.
Quick fact: Residential trees can absorb up to 65% of excess rainwater, proving significant flood protection.
Healthy bodies start with trees. Their ability to cool and clean the air can improve lung and heart health.
Quick fact: Studies show that people who live in areas with more trees have lower rates of asthma and cardiovascular diseases, even when controlled for age and income.
Being around trees lowers stress, improves focus, and invites calming feelings.
Quick fact: A study found that those who took work breaks looking at greenery had lower omission errors and more task consistency than those looking at concrete during breaks.
Trees help reduce the impacts of habitat loss by providing shelter and food for a variety of wildlife.
Quick fact: Many animals and trees help each other. Bees feed on nectar while pollinating trees’ flowers. Elephants germinate and disperse trees’ seeds when they feed on fruit.
City trees lower urban heat by creating shade and releasing water vapor through their leaves. This protects people from heat-related injuries and saves cooling costs.
Quick fact: Trees can reduce air temperatures by 5-20 degrees and surface temperatures by 20-45 degrees! They also can lower AC bills by up to 15%.
Trees can increase property values by
3-15% for individual homes and entire neighborhoods.
Quick fact: Just one healthy, mature tree can have an appraisal value of up to $10,000.
Trees around schools improve children’s ability to learn and puts them in touch with the natural environment.
Quick fact: Play time around trees can improve students’ focus when back in the classroom and reduce symptoms of ADHD in children.
Tree-related industries provide millions of jobs and can even help existing businesses.
Quick fact: Businesses districts and shopping centers with high canopy cover attract more consumers than those with lesser canopy coverage.
When planted in the right places, trees make our roads safer. Tree-lined streets have fewer incidents of speeding, road rage, and accidents.
Quick fact: A 2006 study found that using trees to line roadways could decrease average speeds by 8mph.
Trees produce hundreds of foods that we enjoy. Planting fruit trees can create local food sources and help alleviate food insecurity.
Quick fact: Trees provide more than just fruits and nuts. They give us maple syrup, cinnamon, sassafras, and more!
We admire spring flowers, treasure colorful autumn leaves, and relax under shady canopies. Trees truly fill our communities with beauty and delight.
Quick fact: Rows of evergreen trees can be used to block out unsightly views and muffle unwanted noises.
Trees benefit all humans regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or background. Planting and caring for trees allows people to work together towards a common goal– bettering their community.
Quick fact: TreesCharlotte has planted and distributed over 50,000 trees and engaged over 30,000 Charlotteans since 2012!
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