Urban Forestry is an essential element for improving quality of life in Dallas and promoting economic development.
Quality of life
It is a proven fact that businesses, workers, and retirees want to locate in areas that have a good quality of life. Business views the community as a place where it will hire employees and will move employees to. The community quality of life is a benefit for employees of the business and may affect compensation, employee satisfaction, and retention.
What defines quality of life?
Most people consider parks, trees, streams, and natural areas as a very important part of their community. Real property value has been shown to increase when trees are present. Many home buyers consider a property with trees to be worth several thousand dollars more than similar property without trees. Quality of life is also defined by safety and peacefulness. Studies have shown that crime rates are lower in areas with trees. Mental health of residents is improved in communities with a vital urban forest and stress levels are measurably lowered. Hospitalized patients recover quicker in rooms overlooking treed areas.
Can communities afford urban forest management?
A better question is can they afford not to have it? Attractive views, lower city taxes, reduced flooding danger, clean air, clean water, lower energy bills, and a pleasant climate are important considerations for community residents and businesses alike. In a number of studies, trees have been proven to save money on vital basic services. A managed urban forest can save money by providing:
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Storm Water Control - When a rain event occurs, trees diffuse and absorb the initial moisture. Water is released slowly over a longer period of time than in treeless areas. This process reduces erosion and slows runoff. Trees and forests decrease peak stream flows thereby reducing the possibility of flooding. Trees and forests can help maintain or increase stream base flows for more constant water for aesthetics, recreation, and wildlife habitat. With trees and forests in place, less water needs to be processed through city control structures. A study done by American Forests in Forest Park, Georgia, showed that between 1974 and 1996 areas with tree cover of less than 20% increased from 71% to 83% of the land area. As a direct result of tree loss there was a 28% increase in runoff which amounted to 2.2 million cubic feet of additional water to manage.
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Pollution Control - Water pollution (water quality) is affected by trees as they stop or slow movement of, absorb, and store many pollutants thus protecting water quality. Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency considers non point source pollution the most serious threat to water quality in the United States. Trees reduce rain impact and slow water movement that can cause erosion and carry pollutants. Shading from trees stabilizes water temperatures and greatly improves wildlife habitat. Air pollution (air quality) is also significantly affected by trees. One acre of trees can produce enough oxygen for 18 people and absorb enough carbon dioxide to equal emissions from driving a car 26,000 miles. According to American Forests, one tree over a 50-year period will provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control and generate $31,250 worth of oxygen. Trees have been proven to absorb airborne pollutants. According to Dr. Nowak of the USDA Forest Service, an average 12.5” diameter tree stores 897 pounds of carbon per year.
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Energy Cost - A study done by the University of Florida concluded that tree canopy in Gainesville, Florida, being twice as dense as that in Ocala, saved Gainesville residents an average of $126 a year on power bills. A number of other studies support these findings. Most power companies promote tree planting around buildings to reduce energy usage during peak periods.
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Cost of Community Services - The University of Georgia has shown that new development is actually a net loss for a community due to outlay for services such as sewers, drinking water, and roads costing more than the additional tax revenue collected. Forested and agricultural land netted the community two to three or more times the revenue as compared to the cost of services provided. A study done by the USDA Forest Service and other partners in Modesto, California, showed for every dollar spent on urban forestry $1.89 was realized in benefits. Tree cover extending the life of asphalt streets was a major calculated savings in this study.
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Climate Moderation - Studies done in Atlanta, Georgia, have shown that during hot summer days, the average temperature difference between areas with dense tree canopy such as established suburban neighborhoods and areas with no canopy such as the airport can be as much as 20 degrees. Areas with more trees have cooler temperatures.
A Valuable Resource
Obtaining benefits from the urban forest is dependent on management. A forest in any location is a changing, natural system that cannot be preserved in a static state. We must take action to obtain what we want. Ignorance, lack of care, or misuse will not result in obtaining maximum benefits. We have a valuable resource which we can realize return from based on informed resource management. The urban forest could be compared to a new car. It can be driven without any investment in care for a short time, but maximum benefit is obtained from investing in its care for the long term.
The role of the City of Dallas is to provide information to citizens so that they can manage trees to maximize the benefits of the urban forest. The City of Dallas also manages urban forests on thousands of acres of park land, natural areas, and public facilities, which provide millions of dollars worth of benefits to citizens and visitors alike.
Sources of urban forestry benefits information
The U.S. Forest Service’s Benefits of Trees booklet highlights the benefits of trees in helping to save 30% on energy bills, increase home sales prices, improve air quality, protect water quality, reduce erosion, and much more.
Research by Kathy Wolf, Ph.D., University of Washington. Survey respondents said they will pay 12% more for goods and services in a business district that has a quality urban forest.
Psychological benefits of an urban forest equated to shorter hospital stays, fewer days of work missed due to illness, lower stress, less domestic violence, better behavior from children with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), and lower crime rates.
The National Arbor Day Foundation has produced information on the value of trees to a community
What can you do?
Individual citizens can grow the urban forest in Dallas into a
healthy, productive resource capable of providing benefits for
future generations and improving our quality of life. There are
few acts that can make a bigger difference than planting and
caring for trees. Trees contribute to cleaner air, cleaner
water, cooler temperatures, and many more benefits.
Every person can make a difference.
- Plant trees
- Care for trees
- Volunteer professional services
- Support events
- Raise funds
- Advise and plan
- Inventory/monitor
- Educate and advocate
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