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Tree Facts

Why Trees Make Our Lives and Environment Healthier

Since Arnco formed its partnership with American Forests we’ve received many questions as to why we are planting trees.  The answer is very simple; we wanted to find a way to have a positive environmental impact on our world, both at a local and global level.  Our partnership allows that. 

In our first year of partnership we have planted 5,000 trees.  That is enough trees to cover about 18 acres or an area larger than the size of a football stadium.  Not much ground cover globally but it’s a start. 5,000 trees do have a positive impact on the environment and here are some examples of how.

• Over a year, an acre of forest can consume the amount of carbon dioxide created by driving a car 26,000 miles, about twice the annual mileage for an average driver. 1
• Forests are the largest forms of carbon storage, or sinks, in the United States. Currently, carbon sequestration by plants offset 15% of total U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation and energy sectors. 2
• A mature tree can reduce peak summer temperatures by 2° to 9° Fahrenheit through the evapotranspiration of roughly 40 gallons of water per day. If planted near a building, the cooling effects of evapotranspiration and shading can reduce energy bills by 7% to 40%. 3
• By reducing wind exposure, planting trees near a home can reduce heating bills by 2-8%.4
• The average healthy mature tree produces roughly 260 lbs of net oxygen annually. The average person consumes 386 lbs of oxygen per year. 5
• Ground-level Ozone (O3), Particulate Matter (PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Lead (Pb), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) are all hazardous byproducts of transportation and industry, and can cause major health problems. 6  In 2006, urban trees in the United States absorbed an estimated 711,000 metric tons, or 1.6 billion pounds, of these harmful pollutants. 7
• On average, a mature tree can absorb 36% of the rainfall it comes in contact with, translating into reduced runoff and soil erosion. Sedimentation and erosion can destroy fish eggs and other aquatic wildlife, and cause more flooding. 8
• A single front yard tree can intercept 760 gallons of rainwater in its crown, reducing runoff and flooding on your property. 9
• A strategically placed tree in your yard can reduce annual air conditioning costs by about 9% and add 1% to the sales price of the property per year. 10
• A tree with a diameter of 12 inches at chest height (4.5 feet) can make: 11
• 4 dining room tables
• 10 rocking chairs
• 454.5 pounds of paper
• 2,500 toothpicks

• Studies have shown that every $1 invested in urban trees results in $2-4 in benefits from lowered energy costs, reduced storm water flows, improved aesthetics, higher air quality, and reduced carbon dioxide concentrations. 12
• Studies show that trees in urban areas improve cognitive function, reduce crime, promote a more active lifestyle (thus improving health), and provide a sense of accomplishment to the community. For adults, views of vegetation can reduce stress, improve recovery from surgery, and even reduce aggression. Children who play in green spaces display a lower incidence of ADHD symptoms and improved performance in school. 13
• Forests planted by American Forests provide habitats for a variety of rare and endangered species such as the Goose Lake Redband Trout (CA), the Spotted Owl (CA), River Otters (IL), Nashville Warbler (MD), the Northern Flying Squirrel (WV), the Siberian Tiger (Russia), the Bard Owl (NJ), Red-cockaded Woodpecker (NC), Bald Eagles (FL), and Monarch Butterfly (Mexico).

For more information see the following:

1. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/publications/urban2.html
2. http://www.epa.gov/sequestration/faq.html
3. http://www.epa.gov/heatisld/strategies/vegetation.html
4. http://www.epa.gov/heatisld/strategies/vegetation.html
5. http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr202/psw_gtr202.pdf
6. http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/
7. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B7GJD-4J7B12G-2&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=
8. http://www.epa.gov/heatisld/strategies/vegetation.html
9. Urban Forest Research, Center for Urban Forest Research, March 2001.
10. Urban Forest Research, Center for Urban Forest Research, March 2001.
11. Laura Huberman, The American Tree Farmer, (1988): 862-1144.
12. http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/cufr/products/powerpoint/cufr_653_35_Selling%20U.F._St.Louis.swf
13. http://treelink.org/joa/2003/may/03westphal.pdf

For further information, call 800-821-4147, or visit the Arnco website at www.arnconet.com