Trees are the oldest living organisms on the planet. Not only are they aesthetically beautiful, but they offset environmental impacts and create a healthy, clean environment for us to enjoy.
The benefits of planting trees are far reaching so we’ve compiled a list of what we believe to be the most important benefits of all.
Grab your shovels and your gardening gloves, and get ready to be inspired.
THE BENEFITS OF PLANTING TREES
There are a lot of benefits of planting trees, including the following:
THEY SUPPORT THE ECONOMY
Trees create jobs for thousands of people all over the world.
Farmers spend their days in forests and orchards, reaping the endless benefits of trees. Trees provide food, shelter, and so many of the things we take for granted.
Give back the best way you know how and plant a few trees.
ABSORB HARMFUL GASES
It’s no secret that our air quality is not what it used to be. Harmful greenhouse gases have been building up in the atmosphere, creating a dangerous bubble. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the majority of greenhouse gas is made up of carbon dioxide (CO2).
The benefits of planting trees to absorb these gases is truly a no-brainer. Trees soak up CO2 naturally, creating cleaner, healthier air for us.
Trees store CO2, decreasing the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, but what’s more is that they use it. During photosynthesis, CO2 is used to produce sugar, thus providing energy and releasing oxygen.
Trees can also store quite a bit of CO2. The average-sized tree can store hundreds of pounds over the course of its lifetime.
SUPPORT WILDLIFE
The first obvious benefit of planting trees is they create homes for wildlife. Dozens of critters, insects, and birds use trees as shelter, food sources, and homes. Planting trees also contribute to growing the diversity of flora and fauna in the area.
Depending on the type of tree that’s planted, additional flowers, leaves, and fruits are used by the wildlife. The detritus of these also enriches the soil once they fall, creating even more places for wildlife to burrow underneath for safety and security.
Trees also create a shady sanctuary from extreme temperatures and storms.
IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH
Living close to trees improves our mental health, recent studies show. Being close to nature positively impacts our cognitive and psychological health, as well as reduces stress and
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OFFSETS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Trees act as nature’s buffers. They act as natural flood control, improve neighborhoods, and decrease adverse effects from man-made environmental changes.
Tree’s natural production of oxygen and reduction of smog and its effect in large cities creates cleaner, healthier spaces for us.
ACT AS FLOOD CONTROL
As storms become more and more severe, cities and states are turning towards trees to minimize the damage.
New studies suggest that trees planted around rivers may reduce the height of flooding as much as 20 percent.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, followed by Hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico and southwest Florida, the discussion steered towards environmentally friendly ways cities and states could better prepare themselves.
The true benefits of planting trees is for future enjoyment and safety. Plant trees now and they will lessen environmental impacts in the future.
WATER FILTRATION
Speaking of flood control, one of the benefits of planting trees is that they can actually filter water.
MIT researchers took their theory of using tree branches to filter water to the next level. They crafted a water filter using white pine branch that was rich in xylem tissue. In trees, xylem tissue moves sap from the tree’s roots and traps harmful bacteria. MIT researchers believed that xylem would do the same with unclean water and they were right.
The study concluded with the tree branch water filter from sapwood removed 99 percent of E.coli bacteria. Harmful bacteria and algae from pesky pond weeds creates an unsavory aquatic environment. Thankfully, tree branches as a filter for water is gaining traction in the developed and developing world alike.
With 780 million people struggling to find clean water sources, this is a step towards a brighter future.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Trees prevent nearly $7 billion in health costs annually simply by filtering air pollution and preventing more adverse effects.
“In terms of impacts on human health, trees in urban areas are substantially more important than rural trees due to their proximity to people,” Researchers wrote. “The greatest monetary values are derived in areas with the greatest population density (e.g. Manhattan).”
Air pollution is a major health concern and results in more deaths than you may think. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution can be contributed to more than seven million deaths every year.
Protect the future by planning trees now.
INCREASE HOME VALUE
Trees increase a home’s values aesthetically and by reducing energy costs. Recent studies actually showed that mature trees planted in a nicely manicured yard could increase a home’s value 1-19 percent.
In fact, neighborhood streets with shady trees can be a staggering 6-10 degrees cooler than streets without trees. This not only affects the comfort of the neighborhood but also reduces the area’s energy needs.
Increase your home’s value by planting trees around your property. While they may not be mature yet, they will eventually grow and be enjoyed by residents for years to come.
CONSERVES ENERGY
Trees naturally conserve energy. They are nature’s original air conditioner. Trees have a process known as evapotranspiration, which is essentially the evaporation and transpiration processes merged. This equates to cooler, more moist air.
Trees also have a low albedo. Albedo is the solar energy that’s reflected off a surface and back towards space. The higher the albedo, the more solar energy is reflected back to space, often equating to higher temperatures.
Lucky for us, leaves have a relatively low albedo, meaning the energy is absorbed.