Benefits of Planting Trees
Most often we plant trees to provide shade and beautify our landscapes. These are great benefits but trees also provide other less obvious benefits.
Social Benefits
- Trees make life nicer. It has been shown that spending time among trees and green spaces reduces the amount of stress that we carry around with us in our daily lives.
- Hospital patients have been shown to recover from surgery more quickly when their hospital room offered a view of trees.
- Children have been shown to retain more of the information taught in schools if they spend some of their time outdoors in green spaces.
- Trees are often planted as living memorials or reminders of loved ones or to commemorate significant events in our lives.
Communal Benefits
- Eventhough you may own the trees on your property your neighbors may benefit from them as well.
- Through careful planning trees can be an asset to your entire community.
- Tree lined streets have a traffic calming effect, traffic moves more slowly and safely.
- Trees can be placed to screen unwanted views or noise from busy highways.
- Trees can complement the architecture or design of buildings or entire neighborhoods.
Environmental Benefits
- Trees offer many environmental benefits.
- Trees reduce the urban heat island effect through evaporative cooling and reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches parking lots and buildings. This is especially true in areas with large impervious surfaces, such as parking lots of stores and industrial complexes.
- Trees improve our air quality by filtering harmful dust and pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide from the air we breathe.
- Trees give off oxygen that we need to breathe.
- Trees reduce the amount of storm water runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution in our waterways and may reduce the effects of flooding.
- Many species of wildlife depend on trees for habitat. Trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals.
Economic Benefits
- Well placed trees can reduce your cooling costs in the summer by shading the south and west sides of your home. If deciduous trees are used they will allow the sun to pass through and warm your home in the winter.
- Evergreen trees on the north side of your home and shrubs around the foundation of your home can act as a windbreak to reduce the cooling effects of winter winds.
- The value of a well landscaped home with mature healthy trees can be as much as 10% higher than a similar home with no or little landscaping. (Topping will reduce the value of your trees)
- Some indirect economic benefits of trees are that if we reduce the energy we use then utility companies will have less demand placed on the infrastructure, thus reducing operating costs which can be passed on to the consumer.
FAQs
Trees add beauty to neighborhoods and can add considerable value to the typical Bowling Green home, which helps to stabilize property values. Trees help clean the air by removing poisonous gases and particulates such adjusts and pollens.
What are some benefits of planting trees? ›
Trees give off oxygen that we need to breathe. Trees reduce the amount of storm water runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution in our waterways and may reduce the effects of flooding. Many species of wildlife depend on trees for habitat. Trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals.
When to plant trees in Kentucky? ›
People often think about planting trees in the spring and summer months when trees are in flower, full of fruit or are covered with beautiful leaves. However, the ideal time to plant is during the tree's dormant season, after leaf drop in the fall and before bud-break in the spring.
Why should I plant trees in my yard? ›
Did you know planting a tree is one of the easiest and most powerful things you can do to have a positive impact on the environment? It's true. Trees clean the air, prevent rainwater runoff, help you save energy and even combat global warming. And they're a snap to plant!
What are the benefits of planting trees on employment rates? ›
First, more trees means more jobs. California's community trees provide over 60,000 jobs in a range of skill and income levels. From entry level nursery staff or ground crew jobs (~$16/hour) to certified arborists ($50/hour) and consulting arborists ($150/hour), trees jobs offer much opportunity for growth.
What is the top 5 importance of trees? ›
5 Reasons We Need Trees for a Healthy Planet
- Trees purify our air and combat climate change. ...
- Trees provide housing to millions of species that protect us from disease. ...
- Trees cool our streets and cities. ...
- Trees protect against floods and water pollution. ...
- Trees ease the mind during stressful times.
As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees provide many benefits to us, every day.
What is the best tree to plant in Kentucky? ›
The Best Trees for Planting in Kentucky
Native Kentucky trees include Black Oak, Tulip Poplar, Sourwood, American Holly, American Beech, Red Maple, and Green Ash. With this in mind, we recommend that our Kentucky gardeners opt for native shrubs and trees that will adapt easily to their region and will thrive.
What zone is Kentucky for planting trees? ›
While most of Kentucky falls in the USDA Hardiness Zone 6, Louisville falls right on the border of zones 6b and 7a.
What to do before planting a tree? ›
6 Things You Need to Know Before Planting a Tree
- How Much Space Do You Have? These are the best dwarf conifers for small spaces. ...
- Where Are Your Utilities? Call utilities to pre-dig. ...
- How to Care for the Tree. ...
- What Kind of Tree Do You Want? ...
- When to Plant the Tree. ...
- Check the Growing Time.
Trees and parks do have their disadvantages. Trees can be difficult and costly to maintain, especially after storms. Hurricane and tornado damage of trees can block roads needed for emergency access. They often are the cause of electrical outages – branches and trees taking down power lines.
Is it good to have a lot of trees in your yard? ›
They May Help Your Lawn's Ecosystem
Plant roots make up a large amount of organic matter; therefore, planting more trees on your property is one of the easiest ways to improve overall lawn and soil health. Healthy soil means less disease, fewer pests, greener grass, and easier gardening.
Should you plant trees next to house? ›
Just like with utilities, there are some distance guidelines for planting trees near structures that can reduce root and branch conflicts: Plant small trees (25 feet tall or less, at maturity) at least 8 to 10 feet from a wall, or 6 to 8 feet from a corner of your home.
Does planting trees cost a lot of money? ›
The average cost of planting a tree is $300, although it may range from $150 to several thousand dollars. There are a number of factors that impact the cost, but the most significant factor is tree maturity.
What are 3 benefits of planting more trees? ›
Planting a tree is one of the easiest ways to improve the environment and beautify your surroundings. Plants filter pollutants, absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen and help fight soil erosion. Planting a tree or two will also help reduce your carbon footprint.
What are the monetary benefits of trees? ›
Economic Benefits of Trees
Trees provide numerous economic benefits. Trees can increase the economic revenue for retail shops, prevent unnecessary costs of road maintenance, and increase property values. Explore the following resources, which explain how trees can aid the economy.
What are the economic benefits of trees? ›
Economic Benefits of Trees
Trees provide numerous economic benefits. Trees can increase the economic revenue for retail shops, prevent unnecessary costs of road maintenance, and increase property values. Explore the following resources, which explain how trees can aid the economy.
What do we get from a tree? ›
As well as medicine, provide nourishment. Trees cause rainfall. Provides shades that prevent harsh sun rays. Gum, rubber, latex, and coloring materials are provided.
What would happen without trees? ›
“Without them, we lose extraordinary and essential functions for life on Earth.” Trees' services to this planet range from carbon storage and soil conservation to water cycle regulation. They support natural and human food systems and provide homes for countless species – including us, through building materials.
Are trees good for your health? ›
Spending time around trees and looking at trees reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and improves mood.
