A city's urban forest can reduce peak storm runoff by 10 to 20 percent, according to the USDA Forest Service. Trees help cleanse the environment. During photosynthesis, trees absorb, or sequester , carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen for us to breathe. One acre of trees provides enough oxygen for 18 people, and absorbs as much carbon dioxide as a car produces in 26,000 miles. Trees also remove sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, two major components of acid rain and ozone pollution, from the air.
Trees are natural buffers to harsh weather conditions.
Well forested lands are consistently at least 2 to 4 degrees cooler during the summer and 1 to 2 degrees warmer during the winter than deforested land. This temperature reduction can significantly lower smog production, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Trees can reduce wind speeds by up to 85 percent, compared to treeless areas. City trees also help to counter the urban heat island effect. Trees reduce noise pollution by acting as a buffer and absorbing urban noise.