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Benefits of Trees
Explore the many ways trees make the world a healthier, safer, and more vibrant place.
#1
Trees cool the Earth
and save energy
On average, the Earth can be 27 degrees cooler in the shade of a tree.
By shading buildings, trees cool homes by up to 20 degrees, significantly reducing energy consumption. The evaporation of a single large tree can produce the cooling effect of 10 room size air conditioners operating 24 hours per day. Trees can help reduce heat costs in the winter by acting as a barrier to wind while still letting the sun shine onto the home during the colder months.
Drawing by Ally Levine
#2
Trees help maintain the water cycle
Drawing by Ally Levine (adopted from realtrees4kids)
Vegetation (trees among it) is key in maintaining the water cycle. Plants draw water as a key ingredient to make its food. This drawn water, carbon dioxide, and energy from sunlight combine to make the plant's food (simple sugars) in a process called photosynthesis. The basic elements of water are hydrogen and oxygen. They break apart during photosynthesis, and the oxygen is released into the atmosphere. The tree gets its food and humans get oxygen.
The amount of rainfall and snow directly influences the amount of moving water available to use in hydro power. Water vapor from surface-water evaporation and tree transpiration of water forms clouds in the air.
#3
Trees filter pollutants
Trees keep our air and water cleaner.
The canopy of the tree filters out small particles in the air called particulates. Without trees and other vegetation, we would live in a dust bowl.
Trees store carbon dioxide. When we cut down a tree, it begins to decay, and the stored carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to the green house effect.
Tree roots help filter out chemicals released into the land to keep our ground water supply cleaner.
Trees reduce up to 60% of the ground-level pollutants.
#4
Trees prevent erosion
The roots of trees help keep the ground stable and the top-soil in place by preventing wind erosion and slowing storm water run-off.
#5
Trees provide
medicine
More than 2,000 different types of trees are currently used for medicinal purposes, such as fighting cancer, coronary conditions, memory loss, HIV AIDS, asthma, and hemorrhoids.
Commonly known medicines:
Aspirin originally came from the bark of the White Willow.
Oil from the Eucalyptus tree treats coughs, sore throats, bronchitis, and asthma.
Medication for Malaria, Quinine, originally came from the bark of the evergreen Cinchona Tree.
#6
Trees promote social well-being
Wherever trees are, we see better relationships and stronger ties, fewer reports of violence, quicker recovery from illness, and greater relaxation and well-being.
People meet, play, and rest under the shade of a tree.
Trees reduce noise pollution by 50%.
Trees are beautiful and inspiring!
#7
Trees provide habitats for animals
Trees provide habitat for many kinds of animals, birds and insects.
The life of a tree impacts other parts of the ecosystem. Trees provide flowers on which honeybees gather pollen for making honey. These bees are in decline because of the reduction in flowering plants and trees from which they gather pollen. These insects play a vital role in the production of food by pollinating plants. Their decline threatens the sustainability of crops and food production.
#8
Trees improve traffic safety
Tree-lined streets give the perception of a more narrow street, and closely spaced trees give the perception of speed as drivers pass by them.
Street trees act as a buffer between automobiles and pedestrians.
When trees line the road around the curve, drivers can see a curve coming in the road more easily.
These are among the many benefits of trees
By planting trees, your efforts enhance your local community and help the Earth.
For more information, visit these websites:
Tree Facts - Benefits of Trees
Estimate the Benefits of a Single Tree