The Arboricultural Association of Western Australia (ArbWest) outlines just how important are the health benefits of trees.
The benefits of trees have been studied extensively by scientists for years. By now most of us are starting to understand just how important our canopy cover is, and the role trees play to support our health.
Did you know just how amazing trees are?
Not only do trees improve mental health for those who live close to urban forests, trees cool our streets, reduce air pollution, lessen the risk of flooding, reduce noise and wind, increase property prices, and provide food and habitat for wildlife.
ArbWest committee member Nick Hayes commented: “We know that living near parks or tree-filled reserves significantly improves quality of life and improves our physical and mental health.”
Urban greenspaces, according to scientists, act as preventive public health measures by encouraging social interaction, physical activity, and reducing stress levels.
“Achieving suitable canopy cover requires more than just planting trees in public spaces, though,” Nick Hayes continued. “Preserving and planting trees on private properties, such as residential yards and commercial spaces, is essential.”
And how about this? Policymakers can use tree-canopy expansion to enhance public health and thereby reduce healthcare costs.
Environmental benefits
Here’s a few points on the significant contribution trees can make to increasing the quality of life in urban areas:
• Tree cover can reduce air temperatures by between one degree and eight degrees centigrade, and wind speeds by up to 10%,
• Properly placed trees shade buildings, reducing air-conditioning use during summer and heating costs during
winter,
• Trees act as ‘natural air conditioners’ by absorbing gaseous pollutants and airborne particles, and
• Larger trees (77cm and more in diameter) remove 70 times more pollution annually than smaller trees.
Carbon storage
Photosynthesis is the process of carbon capture, and during photosynthesis, trees absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere through tiny pores in their leaves called ‘stomata’. They then convert this carbon into organic matter (such as sugars) using energy from sunlight. This organic matter is essential for the tree’s growth, and the carbon is stored in the tree’s tissues – its trunk, branches, leaves, and roots.
Carbon sequestration is the carbon absorbed by trees and stored in the form of biomass. The trunk, branches, and leaves contain a significant amount of carbon. Roots also store carbon. In some cases, the carbon in root systems can be particularly long-lasting, as roots decay slowly over time.
Real world
Trees filter nutrients, sediments, and pollutants, increasing groundwater recharge, and in medium-sized cities, tree cover prevents the loss of over 10,800 tons of soil annually.
Trees also support diverse wildlife, including native bird species, which thrive in areas with large, diverse tree populations.
And in perhaps one of the most effective and telling traits of good tree cover, homes in tree-lined neighbourhoods consistently sell for higher prices, and tree-covered streets attract businesses, increase productivity, and shorten real estate turnover times. They’re strong indicators that trees significantly enhance property value and desirability.
Tree shading reduces summer cooling costs while shielding buildings from harsh winter winds, providing year-round energy efficiency, and it’s well documented that viewing nature reduces stress, improves recovery times in hospital patients, and promotes overall well-being. Psychiatric patients in green environments show higher sociability and lower stress levels.
Social space
• People feel more comfortable and are more likely to socialise in shaded, tree-filled areas than in urban hardscapes.
• People are willing to pay more to live close to tree-covered parks.
• Large, mature street trees enhance a neighbourhood’s attractiveness and create a sense of community. Parks with trees are preferred for their beauty and calming effect.
• Trees provide natural sound barriers, reducing noise pollution by up to 7dB per 100 feet of forest, and the rustling leaves offer soothing ‘white noise’, masking urban sounds.
Clear evidence
Trees are essential for healthier, happier, and more sustainable urban environments. They offer a cost-effective solution to improve public health, combat urban heat, and enhance biodiversity while contributing to economic and social wellbeing. By prioritising urban tree-canopy preservation and expansion, communities can build greener, more resilient futures.
