How Trees Play a Critical Role in the Future of Urban Sustainability

When people think of city living, trees aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, the role trees play in urban areas cannot be understated. Urban forests provide shade and cooler temperatures in summer, help manage stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and contribute to overall human well-being. In this blog post, we’ll explore the many environmental, economic, and social benefits sustainable trees provide and why professional tree care is vital for the future of urban sustainability. Read on to learn more!

TreeNewal provides tree care services to promote urban sustainability and overall plant health in Dallas/Fort Worth. Contact an ISA Certified Arborist at (817) 592-6846 to learn more about our tree sustainability initiatives or if you need tree care advice or assistance.

How Do Trees Contribute to the Future of Urban Sustainability?

Trees are a natural utility, performing various beneficial duties. While it’s common knowledge that trees are essential to the ecosystem, tree maintenance costs and other factors can overshadow the decision of whether to plant a tree. However, there is plenty of evidence surrounding the validity of the investment in trees. Below, we’ll outline why.

Reduce Energy Consumption

As we experience increasingly warmer temperatures across the world, Texas is by no means an exception. Urban trees provide shade during scorching summers and alter wind speeds to buffer buildings from storms and wind chills. According to a study by the USDA Forest Service, trees planted near urban areas and communities reduce energy consumption, which amounts to $7.8 billion annually in residential heating and cooling costs.

Improve Air Quality

Researchers from the USDA Forest Service found that trees remove roughly one billion tons of carbon dioxide and absorb about 35 billion pounds of air pollution yearly. The country-wide impact of urban trees amounts to a savings of $73 billion annually. Apart from decreasing air purifying costs, reduced air pollution lowers the number of cases of respiratory and inflammation issues, as well as premature mortality. Another study showed that trees planted near roadsides effectively reduced indoor air pollution by over 50 percent.

Purifies Water and Limits Runoff

Trees limit water runoff by absorbing rainwater through roots and increasing soil porosity, which reduces erosion and its associated issues. Research from Climate Central indicates that trees prevent roughly 4000 billion gallons of runoff each year, protecting structures from flooding and negating repair costs. Another study showed that trees filter up to 80% of phosphorus out of stormwater, playing a part in removing contaminants before it ever arrives at water treatment facilities.

Boost Economic Development

Mature trees can increase revenue for retail stores, prevent unnecessary road maintenance costs, and increase property values by 3 to 7 percent. Tree care, planting, and sustainability efforts also provide various job opportunities in construction, arboriculture, landscaping, and more.

Enhance Quality of Life

Trees provide an inviting atmosphere for neighborhood and urban gatherings. Various studies have shown that walking through urban forest parks correlates to a drop in anxiety and depression. Access to a nearby park with trees in urban areas contributes to better physical health, encouraging residents to go outside and be active.

Promotes Biodiversity

Healthy and diverse tree species protect surrounding biodiversity like animals, insects, and natural plant growth – further supporting urban tree care. Diverse tree cover provides habitats for various plants and wildlife, allowing birds and animals to live off insects and scatter seeds.

How Does Professional Tree Care Promote Tree Sustainability?

As urban development continues to grow at an ever-increasing rate, buildings and people may soon lead to an alarming downward trend in urban forestry. Poor planning often leads to indiscriminate harm to trees and tree removal. With the wealth of benefits trees provide for urban environments, it’s clear that they need to be protected and preserved. Keeping trees healthy and well-maintained through routine tree care services is essential. By not giving our trees the care and attention they need for optimal plant health, like tree trimming and pruning, nutrition, insect and disease management, etc., we are setting ourselves up for failure.

A Sustainable Tree Care Company

TreeNewal is committed to giving back to the community and promoting tree sustainability through education, partnership, and engagement. Our ISA Certified Arborists sponsor and host events educating the community about the importance of trees and how to care for them. TreeNewal has partnered with the National Forest Foundation to meet its tree planting goals. Our corporate commitment is to donate one tree for every tree we touch while servicing our local community. It’s a way of thanking our customers for allowing us to be their sustainable tree care company and supporting an essential part of our ecosystem.
To learn more about our tree care services or how to get involved in urban tree sustainability, contact our Dallas tree care specialists at (817) 592-6846 today!

To learn more about How Trees Play a Critical Role in the Future of Urban Sustainability, call our Argyle and Southlake-based teams

at (817) 592-6846 or send us a message.

We’re a little different than the average tree services company.

Learn more about TreeNewal’s ISA Certified Arborists!

Our Dallas/Fort Worth-based tree doctors can explain how sustainable tree care services add more value to your bottom line.

Healthy trees, healthy lives.