In addition to the obvious aesthetic benefits, the trees in our urban forest improve our air, protect our water, save energy and improve economic sustainability. They are called trees and they have 350 million years of experience in caring for our planet. Luckily, when modern cities began to form, someone had the smart idea of planting trees there too, so that we could enjoy the benefits they bring, even in our urban communities. In a single season, 1 mature leafy tree can produce enough oxygen to allow 10 of us to breathe.
This is most important of all in densely populated and polluted areas, such as cities, where average oxygen levels are expected to be at least 6% lower. In a year, a single mature tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide. It is believed that, globally, our forests absorb 40% of man-made CO2 emissions before they reach our outer atmosphere, where they can trap more heat. Because of their size and density, trees are much better than smaller plants.
To give you an idea of how good they are at storing carbon, it is estimated that 2,367,000 tons of carbon are stored in the trees of London alone, with an estimated value of 147 million pounds sterling for the UK economy. Trees not only absorb carbon dioxide from the air, but they also absorb a host of other pollutants and toxins emitted by our daily activities. This is more vital than ever today, as air pollution, especially in urban areas, means that the air we breathe is reaching (or exceeding) toxic levels. It's not great when 8 out of 10 of us now live in built towns and cities.
A single mature and leafy tree can absorb up to 450 liters of water through its roots every day, as well as capture rainwater on the surface of its leaves. Its roots also reduce soil erosion and slow water seepage into the drainage networks of our cities. In addition to absorbing water, trees also release it in the form of water vapor through the evapotranspiration of their leaves, which produces a refreshing effect. They also provide shade for the ground and buildings, resulting in increased cooling and lower energy use.
The general cooling effect of a single mature tree, on average, equals 10 air conditioning units operating for 20 hours a day. This cooling helps avoid the urban heat island effect, which can cause temperatures in a city to be 7 degrees higher on average. Most of the trees we see today in our cities are here thanks to our revolutionary ancestors who planted them 100 years ago for us to enjoy today. But these are trees that are now reaching the end of their life cycles and reaching old age.
Urban environments can contribute to mental fatigue and stress. Including trees in urban areas can create a restorative and peaceful environment that helps people recover from stress and fatigue. While trees contribute minimally to ozone formation, an increase in tree cover generally results in an overall decrease in smog. However, trees can provide other ecosystem services, even when planting is limited by relatively limited spaces in dense cities.
While all trees do this, the most successful are those that adapt to their location, so they require little management or trees that have a long lifespan and are quite resistant to diseases. Temporal dynamics, including tree demographics, host-pathogen interactions, extinctions, and other population and evolutionary processes, also influence the extent to which tree-planting efforts influence urban conditions. ShadingStrategically placed shade trees (a minimum of three large trees around your home) can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 30 percent. There is substantial literature indicating that trees provide benefits to municipalities and their residents, and this perception has, in part, motivated local, regional and global initiatives that promote urban tree planting (McDonald et al.
In reality, a properly chosen and placed tree requires little maintenance after establishment, and as long as that maintenance is taken care of, the chances of a tree crashing into your house without warning are low. The most promising environmental and health impacts of urban trees are those that can be achieved with well-managed tree planting and localized design interventions at the local and municipal levels. The canopy of urban trees and asthma, wheezing, rhinitis and allergic sensitization to tree pollen in a city birth cohort. Use this literature review to learn more about how tree cover is associated with improved human health in multiple capacities, especially with proper tree selection.
Trees can also present liabilities such as falling trees, damage to infrastructure roots, pollen allergies, and maintenance issues. Trees in urban areas provide not only aesthetic beauty but many important benefits. From reducing air pollution, conserving energy and providing shelter to wildlife, they can be a valuable asset to any environment. At Tree Lopping Townsville, we understand the importance of properly managed trees, so we offer professional advice and tree services that you can trust when it comes to proper tree maintenance. Pruning, dead-wooding and removals are just some of the services we offer. So for all your tree needs, turn to us for reliable advice and efficient service every time.
Townsville Tree Lopping Services
30 Sunderland St
Garbutt QLD 4814
(07) 4243 4100
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