Top 10 Environmental Benefits of Tree Planting

Posted: 2021 | Fall | Spring | Tree and Shrub Planting

When you look out into your backyard, you likely see green leaves, hear the sounds of nature, and smell the fresh air. These are just a few of the environmental benefits of trees. Planting trees provides an immense advantage to the environment. Here are the top 10 environmental benefits of trees.

Reducing Climate Change

Every person’s carbon footprint differs based on the individual’s activities, though the harmful CO2 in the atmosphere contributes to climate change. How do we help fight harmful CO2? Plant trees.  Trees benefit the environment when they absorb CO2, removing it from the air and storing it while releasing oxygen.

Fun Fact: An acre of trees absorbs the amount of carbon dioxide equal to driving your car 26,000 miles.

Cooling Down the Streets

Cities contain a high percentage of heat-absorbing asphalt roads and buildings, making cities warmer than surrounding wooded countryside’s. The environmental benefits of tree planting can cool a city by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by providing shade and releasing water.

Fun Fact: The average temperature in LA has risen by 6 degrees Fahrenheit in 50 years.

Provide Natural Air Conditioning

By using the benefits of shade from trees, you can thicken your wallet.   Strategically placing trees around your home can significantly cut your air conditioning needs, thus saving you money from energy bills.

Prevent Soil Erosion

Tree roots hold the soil together. This helps prevent soil from being eroded or washed away during flooding events. This is especially important for homeowners on uneven land, as heavy rainfall could lead to foundational damage due to shifting soil.

Prevent Water Pollution

Without tree leaves intercepting the rains and their roots facilitating the soil infiltration, rainwater would run off more easily and less water would seep into groundwater.  Trees help facilitate infiltration into the soil where the water is filtered, taking out pollutants in the process. Trees help prevent stormwater from polluting nearby rivers and lakes by intercepting and rerouting it through this process.

Reduce Urban Runoff and Erosion

What would stormwater do if it were not for trees? Trees reduce urban runoff and erosion by storing water and breaking the force of rain as it falls. One of the many advantages of a tree is that it can help keep more water in place to better protect, restore, and replicate natural hydrology.

Fun Fact: The USDA reports that 100 mature trees can reduce runoff caused by rainfall enough to fill over 2,300 bathtubs.

Provide Shelters for Wildlife

If you look out into your tree-filled backyard, you likely will see and hear wildlife all over. Wildlife finds a natural habitat and a food source within trees. The environmental benefits of a tree help house animals such as birds, squirrels, and pollinators such as bees.

Fun Fact: One apple tree can produce about 20 bushels per year which can nourish a variety of animals and wildlife.

Provides a Renewable Energy Source

A great benefit of trees is that with smart forest management, trees can become an excellent eco-friendly fuel. A continuous problem in the world is the overreliance on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels will not be around forever, so companies are shifting their focus to renewable sources of energy. This is the epitome of the environmental benefits of tree planting.

Reduce Noise Pollution

As we all know, traffic and construction can spoil a backyard barbecue. There are ways to reduce the noise pollution heard during these gatherings. A dense section of trees, also known as a tree buffer, can help reduce those sounds from the surrounding traffic or construction.

Fun Fact: A well-planted group of trees can reduce noise pollution by up to 10 decibels.

Purifying Air

When you walk out into your backyard or into the forest, you most likely smell the freshness of the air due to the trees absorbing pollutant gases, such as nitrogen oxides. Trees not only absorb these pollutants, but they absorb odors and act as a filter as little particles get trapped in their leaves.

Fun Fact: A mature acre of trees can provide oxygen for 18 people yearly.

Now, upon learning all these environmental benefits of trees, you are probably wondering, “how can I take advantage of these environmental benefits of tree planting?” You can explore more on how Wachtel Tree Science plants trees or contact us to get connected with our experienced and knowledgeable team of Certified Arborists.