The many benefits from trees are no surprise to people in the Pacific NW. After all, we are surrounded by trees and experience their wonders every day.
Far beyond environmental impact
Besides environmental, there are other advantages in lesser-known areas. We’ll discuss the value of trees in all of them.
- Environmental
- Social
- Communal
- Economic
The positive impact of trees on the environment are clearly some of the most important. Let’s start with those first.
Moderating local climate
In the summer, the sun’s radiant heat is absorbed and deflected by leaves on deciduous trees. Even after leaves have fallen in the winter, the branches still serve a purpose by helping to filter out radiant heat.
The larger the tree and/or the more trees you have in your yard, the greater the cooling effect on their immediate surroundings. Likewise, in cities, tree can curb the heat-island effect created by all the pavement and buildings in commercial areas.
Wind speed & direction
Whether it’s one large tree or a group, trees with compact foliage provide great windbreaks. In addition, they also block and/or slow the absorption of rain, sleet, snow, and hail for added protection to people, animals, and buildings. They also capture water and store it to reduce stormwater runoff.
Improving air quality
Leaves filter the air by removing dust and other particles that is then washed to the ground when it rains. As part of the photosynthesis process, leaves absorb green-house gas carbon dioxide and store carbon as growth. Leaves also absorb pollutants (ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide) and release oxygen in the air.
Support birds & wildlife
Trees and shrubs planted in our cities, yards and public areas turn those developed areas into more natural environments that attracts birds and wildlife. The ecological cycles of plant growth, reproduction and decomposition occurring both above and below the ground aid in restoring natural harmony to our urban environment.
Social benefits
We don’t have to tell you that trees do so much more than just ‘look pretty.’ They help us feel peaceful, relaxed, and much more.
- Reduce stress in the workplace.
- Calm people stuck in traffic.
- Decrease recovery time after surgery.
- Reduce crime (apartments with lots of greenspace have lower crimes rates than those without).
Since trees have such a long life, we often become attached to them as we tie specific events and memories to them.
Benefits for homeowners
The most well-known benefit is that property values of landscaped homes are 5 to 20% higher than those that are not landscaped. Another commonly known benefit concerns your home’s energy consumption.
Air-conditioning costs are lower in houses that are shaded by trees than those that are not. Likewise, heating costs are lower in homes that have a windbreak (courtesy of those rows of trees or shrubs).
Economic benefits for all
There are also some lesser-known indirect benefits. For example, customers usually pay less for electricity when power companies build fewer new facilities to meet peak demands, use less fossil fuels and use fewer resources to control air pollution.
Communities can also save money when they don’t have to build new facilities to control stormwater in your region. Most people don’t think of municipality-type services as they quietly work in the background to make life better though we sure notice when they don’t work.
Communal benefits
People may not realize the role city trees have in architectural and engineering functions. In instance, trees provide privacy, emphasize panoramic views, and help block ‘not so nice’ views. In addition, they reduce glare and reflection along with complementing architecture.
Trees are worthy investment.
There is much to value about trees though they do require care to keep them healthy and strong. When you consider their long lifespan, spending some money for their maintenance is a good value.
Some of the ongoing care can be done by homeowners, such as fertilizing and mulching. Other things are best done by a professional, such as pruning young trees to make sure they grow structurally strong, treatment for insect and disease or evaluating trees for hazards.
Contact Eastside Tree Works for your estimate so you can keep enjoying the many benefits from trees on your Seattle, North Bend or Snohomish property.
