WHY ARE TREES IMPORTANT ANYWAY?

THEY PRODUCE OXYGEN. REDUCE AIR POLLUTION. AND PROVIDE STORM WATER CONTROL. In short, trees are imperative to our very way of life. Each year, 100 trees remove two tons of carbon dioxide ^{1, 2, 3} as well as 1,000 pounds of pollutants, including 400 pounds of ozone and 300 pounds of particulates. ^{4, 5, 6} And that’s not all.

Trees Absorbs Greenhouse Gases

Trees are sponges, constantly absorbing and storing carbon dioxide aiding mankind in our fight against greenhouse gases. Throughout its life cycle a tree, will develop the ability to accumulate carbon dioxide, thus reducing the amount in our atmosphere, and therefore, slowing global climate change ⁷. In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles. ⁸

Trees Produce Oxygen

Acting as not only a producer of oxygen, a tree also has the ability to filter the air we breathe. One, mature leafy tree will produce as much oxygen in one season as 10 people inhale in a year. ⁹

Trees Clean the Soil

Trees gather harmful pollutants that navigate their way into our soil, and have the ability to transform those chemicals into less harmful forms. They also act as filters for sewage and animal waste, and in turn, provide clean water runoff for our streams. ^{10, 11}

Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff

Trees reduce storm water runoff by intercepting rainwater on leaves, branches, and trunk, deterring erosion, flooding, and water pollution. ¹²

Trees Provide Shade

Like giant umbrellas, trees shade urban environments and reduce temperatures in these populated areas, which due to the lack of natural elements can be as much as 10 degrees warmer. ¹³

Trees Act as Windbreaks

During windy and cold seasons, like in Chicago, trees can act as windbreaks. A windbreak can lower home heating bills up to 30%! A reduction in wind can also reduce the drying effect on soil and vegetation behind the windbreak and help keep precious topsoil in place. ¹⁴