Why more trees?

Trees are beautiful to look at, wonderful to live with. Neighborhoods with mature trees are cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter (by blocking winds). Trees clean the air, clean the water.  

Most of all, they make a pretty house prettier, and can do wonders for an ugly one. 

If that isn't enough, here are more good reasons why we should have more trees (courtesy of the San Francisco Tree Council). 

• Tree foliage filters dust and can remove from the atmosphere toxic pollutants such as carbon-monoxide, nitrogen oxides, airborne ammonia, sulphur dioxide.
• The leaves take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen for us to breath.
• Trees intercept rainwater aiding soil absorption for gradual release into streams; preventing flooding, filtering toxins and impurities, and extending water availability into dry months when it is most needed.
• Trees cleanse ground water as it filters through their root systems.
• Both urban and rural forests are home to a wealth of wildlife which depends on trees for survival.
• A single, fully grown sycamore tree can transform 26 pounds of carbon dioxide into life-giving oxygen every year.
• Trees improve property values. The addition of trees and shrubs can increase property values by 10 - 20%.
• Water from roots is drawn up to the leaves where it evaporates. The conversion from water to gas absorbs huge amounts of heat cooling hot city air.
• Trees help offset the "heat island" effect resulting from too much glass and concrete.
• Urban neighborhoods with mature trees can be up to 11 degrees cooler in summer heat than neighborhoods without trees.
• A one degree rise in temperature equals a 2% increase in peak electricity consumption.
• Trees and shrubs slow down rainwater, helping runoff to soak into the soil at a slow and even rate. This takes the pressure off our storm sewers and allows for the renewal of ground water.
• One acre of trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people every day.
• One acre of trees absorbs enough carbon dioxide per year to match that emitted by driving a car 26,000 miles.
• Trees provide fruits, nuts, and flowers.
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