Most often we plant trees to provide shade and beauty to our landscapes. These are great benefits, but trees also provide other less obvious benefits.
Trees improve our air quality by filtering harmful dust and pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide from the air we breathe. Did you know that 1 acre of forest absorbs 6 tons of carbon dioxide? It also puts out 4 tons of oxygen! More specifically, an average sized tree produces 260 pounds of oxygen per year.
Trees also contribute by conserving water, preserving soil, reducing erosion, cooling the planet, supporting wildlife and providing us physical and mental health benefits.
Well placed trees also have economic benefits by reducing cooling costs in the summer and acting as a windbreak to reduce heating costs during the winter. Healthy, mature trees can also add an average of 10% to a property’s value.
In conclusion, the importance of trees seems apparent if you try to imagine a world without them. Gasp! (Literally.) Their benefits begin the moment they’re planted and multiply as they grow. So let’s plant some trees - a simple act with such tremendous benefits!