Trees Social and Economical Value

When we think of trees, we think of their beauty or their environmental benefits, what few of us realize is their benefits to our well being or even how they can help us financially. Yes financially. It has been proven that trees can actually increase property values. Why? Possibly because of all their social benefits, the way they help cool our homes and save us energy or break up the wind, keeping our homes warmer in the winter.

So now you may be asking, how are trees beneficially helpful to our well-being? To start,
imagine your community without trees? Any trees at all. It is difficult. Do you have trees at your place of work? The University of Cambridge did a study on job satisfaction of employees of business with a view of trees from their office. They found that these employees suffered from fewer diseases than workers without a view of trees.

Trees are helpful to children who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD. Kids with ADHD have been proven to be calmer, more responsive, and better able to concentrate when in a space with lots of trees.

Knowing how trees add to the environment and well-being of others, having a tree on your property can increase its value by 9 percent. Statistics show that homes with trees are also more attractive to visitors, potential buyers, and neighbors. Neighborhoods with lots of trees also report less crime!

Here are some quick facts on how trees are valuable economically and socially:

• Research shows that shoppers in well-landscaped business districts are willing to pay more for parking and up to 12% more for goods and services.
• Landscaping, especially with trees, can significantly increase property values. Here is one example: A value of 9% ($15,000) was determined in a U.S. Tax Court case for the loss of a large black oak on a property valued at $164,500.
• Trees reduce runoff and erosion from storms by about 7% and reduce the need for erosion control structures. In urban areas with trees, the use of smaller drainpipes can save cities on materials, installation and maintenance.
• Desk workers with and without views of nature were surveyed. Those without views of nature, when asked about 11 different ailments, claimed 23% more incidence of illness in the prior 6 months.
• Amenity and comfort ratings were about 80% higher for a tree-lined sidewalk compared with those for a nonshaded street. Quality of products ratings were 30% higher in districts having trees over those with barren sidewalks.
• In the United States over 200 million cubic yards of urban tree and landscape residue are generated every year.26 Of the 200 million cubic yards of urban tree and landscape residue, 15% is classified as "unchipped logs." If these logs were sawn into boards, they theoretically would produce 3.8 billion board feet of lumber, or nearly 30% of the hardwood lumber produced annually in the United States.
• Views of nature reduce the stress response of both body and mind when stressors of urban conditions are present.
• Trees in urban parks and recreation areas are estimated to improve outdoor leisure and recreation experiences in the United States by $2 billion per year.
• Trees reduce crime. Apartment buildings with high levels of greenery had 52% fewer crimes than those without any trees. Buildings with medium amounts of greenery had 42% fewer crimes.
• Hospital patients recovering from surgery who had a view of a grove of trees through their windows required fewer pain relievers, experienced fewer complications, and left the hospital sooner than similar patients who had a view of a brick wall.
• Americans travel about 2.3 billion miles per day on urban freeways and highways. Studies show drivers exposed to roadside nature scenes had a greater ability to cope with driving stresses.
• Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children are relieved after contact with nature. Specifically, ADHD kids are better able to concentrate, complete tasks, and follow directions after playing in natural settings. The greener the setting, the more relief.
• Trees help girls succeed. On average, the greener a girl’s view from home, the better she concentrates and the better her self-discipline, enabling her to make more thoughtful choices and do better in school.
• Trees and forests in urban areas convey serenity and beauty along a number of sensory dimensions, often surrounding the individual with nature in an environment where natural things are at a premium.

Trees are essential to the life of our planet and our own personal well-being – and if that isn’t good enough, they are economically beneficial as well.

Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.