Plant Trees

One of the most overlooked and underappreciated benefits of trees is their ability to reduce the volume of water rushing through gutters and pipes following a storm. This means:

• Cleaner water when the runoff reaches rivers and lakes
• Enough groundwater to maintain summer streamflow
• Less investment in expensive infrastructure
• Reduced risk of local flooding

Tree leaves and needles break the force of rain, slowing the movement of water and reducing water pollution, runoff and flooding. In addition, tree roots and leaf litter create soil conditions that promote the infiltration of rainwater into the soil.

Everyone knows that trees grace our lives with beauty, but trees also enhance our lives in very practical ways. When we “treevitalize” our communities, we reap the rewards!

From the air we breathe to the value of our homes to the health of our local waterways, there are many benefits to incorporating trees in urban landscapes. Trees also give shelter to wildlife, cool our communities, muffle noise and provide privacy. Overall, trees increase property values, save energy, add beauty and grace to our communities, and become a priceless heritage for future generations.