Southbury, Connecticut - Benefit of Trees


What is the Urban forest? The Urban Forest includes all of the trees and shrubs growing on both public and private property within a City or Town. Park trees, street trees, and trees growing around private homes create our Urban Forest. The main difference between an Urban forest and a natural forest is the constant presence of people. Trees are a major capital asset. Like streets, sidewalks, sewers, and buildings, the urban forest is a critical and valuable component of our urban infrastructure. In an urban setting, trees are fourteen times more valuable than their forest counterparts due to the benefits they provide to our urban environment, i.e., cooling temperatures, saving energy, reducing dust & particulates, and slowing runoff from storms. Trees Save Energy Strategically placed shade trees can reduce heating & cooling expenses by 10% to 50%. A single mature tree provides the cooling equivalent of five average air conditioners running 12 hours per day. Trees reduce city temperatures 3 to 10 degrees. Trees reduce glare on sunny days. Trees are Good For Our Health Shade trees provide protection from the harmful sun's rays. Trees filter air contaminants, clean our air. Trees provide privacy, promote healing & create a sense of relaxation and well-being. Trees reduce noise pollution and soften harsh urban views. Trees add beauty and natural character to our towns and cities. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other dangerous gases while replenishing our atmosphere with oxygen. Trees in good health can remove up to 50 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air every year. Trees Conserve Water and Reduce Soil Erosion Trees reduce surface water runoff from storms. Trees reduce the amount of grease and oil transported to streams, a major source of ocean pollution. Trees reduce soil erosion and sedimentation of streams. Trees increase ground water recharging that is reduced by urban paving. Trees shade other plants reducing their water requirements. Trees increase Economic Stability Tree lined streets attract people, businesses and tourists, offices & apartments and with trees rent quickly and for more money. Tree lined streets command prices that are 25% higher than houses in more barren areas. Trees help provides jobs. Trees increase property values. Trees promote Wildlife Trees provide habitat and food for birds and animals. Trees create ecosystems and protection for plant & animal life that otherwise would not exist in cities and towns. Trees Have Social and Educational Value Cities with beautiful urban forests are renown throughout the world. Trees provide educational opportunities for adults and children. Community tree plantings create pride and unite neighbors. Trees provide settings for picnics and create a place to relax. Trees provide a connection with nature in urban settings. To obtain more information about this subject visit:

What is the Urban forest?
The Urban Forest includes all of the trees and shrubs growing on both public and private property within a City or Town. Park trees, street trees, and trees growing around private homes create our Urban Forest. The main difference between an Urban forest and a natural forest is the constant presence of people. Trees are a major capital asset. Like streets, sidewalks, sewers, and buildings, the urban forest is a critical and valuable component of our urban infrastructure. In an urban setting, trees are fourteen times more valuable than their forest counterparts due to the benefits they provide to our urban environment, i.e., cooling temperatures, saving energy, reducing dust & particulates, and slowing runoff from storms.

Trees Save Energy
Strategically placed shade trees can reduce heating & cooling expenses by 10% to 50%. A single mature tree provides the cooling equivalent of five average air conditioners running 12 hours per day.
Trees reduce city temperatures 3 to 10 degrees.
Trees reduce glare on sunny days.

Trees are Good For Our Health
Shade trees provide protection from the harmful sun's rays.
Trees filter air contaminants, clean our air.
Trees provide privacy, promote healing & create a sense of relaxation and well-being.
Trees reduce noise pollution and soften harsh urban views.
Trees add beauty and natural character to our towns and cities.
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other dangerous gases while replenishing our atmosphere with oxygen.
Trees in good health can remove up to 50 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air every year.

Trees Conserve Water and Reduce Soil Erosion
Trees reduce surface water runoff from storms.
Trees reduce the amount of grease and oil transported to streams, a major source of ocean pollution.
Trees reduce soil erosion and sedimentation of streams.
Trees increase ground water recharging that is reduced by urban paving.
Trees shade other plants reducing their water requirements.

Trees increase Economic Stability
Tree lined streets attract people, businesses and tourists, offices & apartments and with trees rent quickly and for more money.
Tree lined streets command prices that are 25% higher than houses in more barren areas.
Trees help provides jobs.
Trees increase property values.

Trees promote Wildlife
Trees provide habitat and food for birds and animals.
Trees create ecosystems and protection for plant & animal life that otherwise would not exist in cities and towns.

Trees Have Social and Educational Value
Cities with beautiful urban forests are renown throughout the world.
Trees provide educational opportunities for adults and children.
Community tree plantings create pride and unite neighbors.
Trees provide settings for picnics and create a place to relax.
Trees provide a connection with nature in urban settings.

To obtain more information about this subject visit: