Healthy trees mean ...

... healthy people.1One hundred trees remove 

53 tons of carbon dioxide per year.430 pounds of other air pollutants per year.

... healthy communities.2Tree-filled neighborhoods 

lower levels of domestic violence. are safer and more sociable.

... healthy environment.1One hundred mature trees catch about 139,000 gallons of rainwater per year.... homeowner savings.1

Strategically placed trees save up to 56% on annual air-conditioning costs.Evergreens that block winter winds can save 3% on heating.

... better business.3In tree-lined commercial districts, shoppers report

more frequent shopping.longer shopping trips.willingness to pay more for parking.willingness to spend 12% more for goods.

... higher property values.4

Each large front yard tree adds 1% to the house sales price.Large specimen trees can add 10% to property value.

1 McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Maco, S.E.; Gardner, S.L.; Cozad, S.K.; Xiao, Q. 2005. Midwest community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting. NA-TP-05-06. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. (See the last page of this brochure for more information.)

2 Sullivan, W.C.; Kuo, F.E. 1996. Do trees strengthen urban communities, reduce domestic violence? Arborist News 5: 

33-34.

3 Wolf, K.L. 1999. Nature and commerce: human ecology in business districts. In Kollin, C., ed. Building Cities of 

Green: Proceedings of the 1999 National Urban Forest Conference. Washington, DC: American Forests: 56-59. 

4 Anderson, L.M.; Cordell, H.K. 1988. Residential property values improve by landscaping with trees. Southern 

Journal of Applied Forestry 9: 162-166. Neely, D., ed. 1988. Valuation of landscape trees, shrubs, and other plants, 7th ed. Urbana, IL: International Society of Arboriculture.

••••••••••••

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USDA Forest Service’s Center for Urban Forest Research shows that ... It pays to care for trees.As a demonstration i-Tree project, base data were collected in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the summer of 2004. To learn how to use this information to calculate costs and benefits for any community in the Midwest region (shown on map in brown), refer to the Midwest Community Tree Guide at http://cufr.ucdavis.edu. To learn more about i-Tree, visit www.itreetools.orgAbout the research:Costs analyzed:

Tree purchase and plantingPruningIrrigationPest and disease prevention and controlRemoval and disposalSidewalk repairLeaf litter clean-upLiability, legal aspects, administration.

Benefits analyzed:

Energy savings (electricity and natural gas)Air pollution reduction (carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, airborne particles, and volatile organic compounds)Runoff reduction (rainfall interception)Property values.

Methods:

Benefits and costs were quantified for typical large, medium, and small deciduous trees (hackberry, red oak, and crabapple). The analysis assumed that trees were planted in a residential yard or public area (street-side or park) with a 60% survival rate over 40 years. Tree care costs were based on results from a survey of municipal and commercial arborists. Benefits were calculated using tree growth curves and numerical models that consider regional climate, building characteristics, air-pollutant concentrations, and prices.

Project partners included the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Tree Trust, and Minnesota Tree Care Advisors.••••••••••••••••

Source: McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Maco, S.E.; Gardner, S.L.; Cozad, S.K.; Xiao, Q. 2005. Midwest community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting. NA-TP-05-05. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

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