Why trees?

Trees are always working to help people and are a major biotic component of the local ecosystem. Here are ten ways in which trees serve you every day.

Ecologically…

1. Trees improve air quality by absorbing and holding particles that can damage human lungs.

Leaves absorb carbon dioxide and other poisonous gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) and in turn, replenish the atmosphere with oxygen for us to breathe.

One acre of trees provides oxygen for 18 people and will absorb the amount of carbon dioxide each year equivalent to that produced by a car driven 26,000 miles.

2. Trees improve water quality in local watersheds by intercepting the impact of billions of raindrops-directly resulting in less storm water runoff and soil erosion.

Maintaining forested areas within a highly urbanized setting is critical for sustaining high standards of water quality in any city. Trees can absorb a tremendous amount of storm water, which reduces soil erosion, and prevents the rapid movement of non-point source pollution into streams.

3. Trees sustain and promote wildlife diversity by providing structure and a major biotic component of the local ecosystem.

Trees are the natural habitat for many animals and birds that are indigenous to the Baton Rouge area.

4. Trees improve personal health by helping relieve psychological stresses associated with living in metropolitan areas such as Baton Rouge, LA.

Trees create feelings of relaxation and well-being. Medical research indicates that patients assigned to a room with a view of trees and green open spaces have shorter postoperative hospital stays.

Economically…

5. Evergreen trees save energy by providing shade that cools urban surfaces in the summer and serves as a windbreak during the winter.

Trees properly placed around a building can reduce air-conditioning needs by as much as thirty percent. As a result, we burn less fossil fuel for cooling in the long hot summers of south Louisiana.

6. Trees can increase economic stability by attracting and keeping businesses in a community.

The National Arbor Day Foundation reports that people linger and shop longer along tree-lined streets. Apartments and offices rent more quickly and tenants stay longer in forested areas. Studies by the USDA forest Service have shown that healthy, mature trees add an average of ten percent to a property’s value.

7. Trees provide a substantial return on a modest investment.

According to the International Society of Arboriculture for each dollar a city will invest in the care of street trees there is a seven dollar yield in economic and ecological value to that community

8. Trees mitigate the effects of urban heat islands.

Did you know that the cooling effect of one large shade tree is the same as 15 room- sized 4,000 BTU air-conditioners.

Aesthetically…

9. Trees add beauty to the urban landscape in which we live.

Trees often give citizens the first impressions of a city. Picture Baton Rouge without trees. Now ask yourself it is a city in which you would like to live?

10. Trees reduce noise pollution by absorbing unpleasant sounds that are a by product of a highly urbanized environment.