TREE
FACTS
TREES REDUCE OZONE
POLLUTION
Trees remove
ozone, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide from the air through leaves,
roots and soil. Pollutants are then broken down by microbes in the
tree before being released as oxygen.
In the Chicago area,
the US Department of Forestry calculated that a single tree with
trunk circumference of 30” removes 200 LBS. of carbon dioxide,
1.1 LBS. of ozone and 2 LBS. of sulfur dioxide every year.
REDUCE
URBAN HEAT
Urban heat
islands are created by concrete and asphalt that store heat and
prevent nighttime cooling
Within a city temperatures
can vary significantly, Typically, large urban forests are seven
degrees cooler than surrounding neighborhoods.
Trees provide shade- a tree planted on the east or west side of
a house can reduce A/C costs by 50%.
Florida uses more
energy per capita than any other state in the US.
REDUCE WATER POLLUTION and STORMWATER RUNOFF
Pollution is a
circular process that is unending.
Soil pollution+ water pollution=air pollution=soil pollution . .
.
Trees hold soil in place, reduce pesticide/herbicide and fertilizer
run-off, and decontaminate soil.
A single large Live oak canopy can intercept 28% of rain and consume
300 gallons of water per day.
The moisture released into the air by trees stabilizes rainfall,
decreasing the episodes of drought and flood.
REDUCE
PARTICULATES
Particulates (tiny particles floating in our air as the result of
combustion) are associated with an increase in respiratory cardiovascular
disease and asthma in urban areas.
Trees help intercept and collect particles that are then broken
down and retained in the soil.
Trees remove the largest amount of particulates near heavily traveled
roads- where levels are high and most toxic.
REDUCE
NOISE & LIGHT POLLUTION
Noise-cars, trucks, planes and buses is a growing urban health threat.
A well placed stand of trees can reduce urban noise by up to 15
decibels.
Artificial Light-street lights, security lights, headlights-disrupts
biological clocks and causes sleep disorders.
Trees placed along urban streets can reduce the amount of artificial
light in a home.
AND,
TREES: Increase
property values, help increase tourism and convention business,
and increase location value of our community. MONEY
magazine readers named clean air and water as the two most important
characteristics in choosing where to live.
Too old to plant trees
for my own gratification,
I shall do it for my posterity.
-Thomas Jefferson
