What Can Trees Do For My Community?

Jim Self Center Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University Trees Help Reduce The Greenhouse Effect Issue: Poor air quality present in many regions of South Carolina help increase the Greenhouse Effect. The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere trap energy from the sun. Approximately half of the greenhouse effect is caused by carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Trees remove CO 2 during photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in their trunks, branches, and leaves while they release oxygen back into the air.

Jim Self Center Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University Trees Reduce Air Pollutants Pollutant removal is critically important for those suffering from respiratory and other diseases. Trees help reduce these pollutants, as well as improve air quality. Trees rooted in city streets help reduce up to 60% of particulates (small particles emitted in smoke from burnt fuel). Issue: Air pollutants released from industry expansion and transportation exhaust cause health issues.

Jim Self Center Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University Urban Forests Protect Water Quality and Prevent Erosion Issue: Erosion, flooding, and storm water management are costly community issues. Trees help prevent erosion and flooding. They also reduce the amount of storm water that flows into drainage areas, which reduces water pollution. Trees reduce topsoil erosion, slow down water run-off, prevent absorption of harmful land pollutants, and replenish our groundwater supplies.

Jim Self Center Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University Trees Help Conserve Energy Issue: High energy costs Americans millions of dollars a year. 2 billion dollars of energy can be saved through the use of three trees per un-shaded home. Properly landscaped homes can save up to 58% on daytime air conditioning, which can reduce oil consumption by 500,000 barrels per day nationwide. Energy consumption can be reduced by 30% in the winter, and 20 % in the summer.

Jim Self Center Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University Trees Increase Business Issue: Poor landscaped areas decrease sales. Shoppers are willing to pay for parking and up to 12% more for goods and services in tree-lined commercial districts. Customers shop more frequently and for longer periods of times in well- landscaped business districts.

Jim Self Center Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University Trees Increase Property Values Issue: Homeowners’ poorly landscaped yards have negative effects on property value. Property valued of landscaped homes are 5-20% higher than those of non-landscaped homes. Each large front yard tree adds 1% to price, and large specimen trees can add 10% or more to property values.

Jim Self Center Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University Trees Help Save Money Issue: Pollution removal and high energy prices are costly for local governments and tax payers. Pollution removal in large cities can reach 9 million dollars a year. Trees can help save these cities by: Reducing energy needs and bills by providing shade homes and office buildings. Generating $31,250 worth of oxygen over a 50 year time period.

Jim Self Center Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University For more information: SC Forestry Commission Community Forestry Program or The Jim Self Center on the Future Strom Thurmond Institute Clemson University