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One of the greatest benefits that trees provide is their ability to improve water quality and decrease flooding by reducing the amount of water runoff rushing through storm drains and into creeks after a rainfall. Trees also:
- Make our homes worth more
- Clean the air
- Remove atmospheric carbon and other air pollutants and produce oxygen
- Cool homes and streets
- Save energy
- Conserve soil
- Provide food
- Provide homes for wildlife
- Provide wood
- Improve health
- Reduce violence
- Mark the seasons
- Reduce glare
- Hide ugly views
Read the article “Trees Contribute to Stormwater Management” written by Deer Creek Watershed Alliance’s Project Horticulturalist Cindy Gilberg.
More resources on the benefits of trees:
Ladue Garden Club Tree's in Your School's Backyard booklet for kids
National Tree Benefit Calculator
http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/
Tree People
http://www.treepeople.org/top-22-benefits-trees
How Trees Can Retain Stormwater Runoff [5.2 MB pdf]
https://www.arborday.org/trees/bulletins/coordinators/resources/pdfs/055.pdf
Using Trees to Reduce Stormwater Runoff Presentation
http://www.slideshare.net/watershedprotection/using-trees-to-reduce-stormwater-runoff-formatted-presentation