Deciduous Trees Allow Sunlight in Winter

When trees drop their leaves, this means that homes shaded in the summer will have ample sunlight during the colder months to help reduce reliance on heating, thus reducing energy bills and related emissions.

Reduce Air Pollution

Air pollution now affects most humans on Earth, with the youngest and oldest humans at greater risk from respiratory disease, heart damage, and even damage to brains. Mothers who breath greater amounts of air pollution are at greater risk of having premature babies which puts infants at risk of many health issues including death. As they enter school, kids who are subjected to higher levels of air pollution suffer from lower IQs and worse grades than their peers who have access to cleaner air.

While it is vital to reduce emissions and small particle pollution from getting into our air in the first place, hedgerows and trees can help play a vital role in protecting health in a community as they ramp up other solutions such as safe sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and public transportation.

Biodiversity

Trees can support a wide variety of species. However species selection is vital! Avoid picking non-native or invasive species, and attempt to pick species that can host a wider variety of species. Some may only support 1-2 native species such a butterflies or native bees, while other species such as oaks can support hundreds of local species.

Flood Control & Water Security

By increasing soil permeability with their roots, trees can help a flood-prone community become a resilient "sponge city"

Reduce Pollution Runoff

Particularly in areas where waterways run through or close to communities and roadways, trees and other plants can help reduce pollution both via absorbing pollutants before they reach these rivers and streams, but also by creating physical barriers. Their roots can also help hold soil in place even during heavier rain and against rising currents.

Reduce Noise Pollution

Small saplings won't make much of a difference, but as they grow bigger, trees can help muffle street-level noises on their way up to higher floor levels. This means families above ground level can enjoy some increased protection and privacy from loud drunks in the streets at night, or delivery and dump trucks early in the morning. 

Potential Problems with Urban Trees

Energy Infrastructure

Electric Lines

Power outages and fires can be caused by trees interacting with power lines. Try to avoid planting too close to any type of energy infrastructure. If you have to plant directly under power lines, pick a shorter-growing species of tree or even downsize to a shrub. Trees can also be clipped to keep them away from power lines, but this needs to be diligently maintained to avoid issues.

Water Pipes & Sewers

Tree roots can eventually break pipes including automatic sprinkler lines and septic tanks. Many communities have a hotline or other contact info so you can "call before you dig" and accidentally plant a tree in a place where it may grow to cause damage. Many species are fine, but some water guzzlers such as willows are notorious for seeking out and using their powerful roots to crush pipes in the tree's search for water.

Waterways

Waterways face many dangers from humans, and trees can help protect them. Likewise waterways (though important to our survival) can pose dangers to us and our communities, but again... trees can help reduce or even eliminate some of these dangers.

Roadways

Cleaner Air

Along with hedgerows, trees can help clean our air, and data shows that the closer to roads they are, the more plants can help protect us from vehicle fumes.

Bioretention Systems

Bioretention Ponds

Trees planted around bioretention ponds can help these systems work better. As tree roots grow through hardened soil, they break up the medium which can help guide water down into the soil, even in drought-stricken places. As living organisms, the trees also suck up some of the water and transpire it back into the atmosphere via their leaves.

Trees along these artificial shores not only looks prettier, making for pleasant gathering places for community members, but can also function as habitat for wildlife who in turn benefit from any rain water in these ponds.

Community Green Spaces

Many community spaces can benefit greatly from an increase in tree cover, especially as our planet warms and people seek cooling shade. Community green spaces can include commonly ignored areas including medians, the centers of roundabouts, roadsides, to more prominent spaces such as parks and greenways or greenbelts.  Trees can provide a wide array of benefits in these spaces, or cause various issues, meaning that appropriate placement is vital.

Resources

Planeteer Handbook Resource Pages

The following pages are listed in the order which will probably be most useful in planning your planting project. 

1. Determine appropriate species for your region.

2. Check to see if there are any programs or grants in your area for free or cheap trees. Some of these include voucher programs or tax credits. Some offer support for non-tree items including stakes and other equipment.

3. Lean how to dig an appropriate hole before you try planting your tree, and ensure you have your supplies ready in time for the day of your tree planting. Our Tree Planting & Care page also covers trimming, watering, and other practices to ensure healthy, long-lived trees.