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Urban Forest, Why Bother?
Landscapes that include trees, parks, woodlots, greenbelts, natural areas, and native forest - both naturally occurring and planted - are found in communities throughout the United States. What makes these "urban and community forests" unique from rural forest is the dominant role of human activity in their creation and management. The term "urban and community forests" is commonly used by professionals who work with trees in urban areas and refers to the tree and forests found in urbanized settings. How large is this urban forest? The USDA forest Service estimates that the metropolitan areas (urban counties) of America cover 24.5% of the land area of the lower 48 states. Nationally, urban areas have an average tree cover of about 27%, compared with the national average of about 33% for all lands.
Why should the City of Troy make the commitment to include trees, parks, woodlots, greenbelts and natural areas in current and future development? Trees provide many indirect benefits. Green spaces provide energy savings, improve air quality, assist with surface water management, and provide visual and noise buffers. Social scientists have learned that having nature nearby helps people cope with stress and anxiety and benefits child development. Scientists have studied the role of trees in human communities to better understand environmental and social benefits. Many of these benefits translate to economic benefits!
Trees are associated with higher property values. Several studies around the country have analyzed the relationship of the urban forest and sales prices of residential properties. A 3 to 6% increase in property value was found. Across an entire community these small boosts add up to significantly higher tax revenues. Science-based computer models (developed at USDA Forest Service labs) have compared the costs associated with tree care to the benefits provided by trees, and the benefit/cost ratio is positive. Of special note, larger trees produce greater levels of benefits.
Business recruitment and relocation efforts can benefit from green spaces. Businesses are often more willing to locate in places where the promise of a satisfying lifestyle can be used to attract and retain employees. Trees in the landscape of office buildings, home sites and commercial districts create places that are more livable and appealing.
Streetscape improvements are key strategy in revitalizing business districts. In research conducted by the University of Washington, consumers were asked to compare their shopping behaviors in places that had no vegetation with business districts having an urban forest. Consumers' perceptions were more favorable for districts with trees, including interpretations of the quality of products and level of customer service. People also reported being likely to visit a business district with trees more often and staying longer after arriving. Finally, people were asked to report their willingness to pay for products; consumers were willing to pay an average of 12% more for goods in a landscaped district.
The collective appearance and quality of a place, including its urban forest, sends cues about the experience of place that one would expect. A healthy, well-maintained community landscape tells visitors and prospective businesses about the pride and values of a community.
While we think of trees contributing to the ambience of a neighborhood or entire City, trees also have a significant impact on individual people. Environmental psychologists are learning that working and living near quality green spaces can satisfy deeply felt psychological and physiological needs for many people. Having a view of nature from one's office window has been shown to increase employee job satisfaction and reduce feelings of job pressure. Employees with nature views also report 23% fewer health ailments, a probable influence on absenteeism.
A study carried out by the American scientists Virginia I. Lohr and Caroline H. Pearson-Mims from the Departments of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture of the Washington State University proves that looking at trees has a positive effect on people. The participants in the study showed more positive emotions, such as happiness, friendliness and assertiveness, and less negative emotions, such as sadness, fear and annoyance, while looking at the urban scenery with trees. Overall the study impressively proved the significant role trees play in an urban environment. They have the effect of a calming catalyst on people, especially those who live in urban areas, and contribute to their well-being and therefore better health.
Many of America's communities fail to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) air-quality standards. Air pollution has significant public health and economic impacts. The EPA acknowledges that the use of trees in the new innovative technologies to reduce atmospheric pollutants and improve air quality. Under the best conditions, trees remove up to 15% of the contaminants in the atmosphere. Large, healthy vigorously growing trees generate maximum reduction in pollutants.
Trees are a resource that can contribute to the economic development of communities. These resources may not provide marketable goods, but they generate "human services" that promote economic growth. In an information-based economy, firms and workers are highly mobile. Research has determined that people will move to places offering high levels of amenities, including urban forest. The benefits of an urban forest are possible only if planned and managed comprehensively as a 'green infrastructure'. Citywide systems of roads and utilities deliver service in a comprehensive and predictable manner. Likewise, systems of trees, forests and green space should be planned to provide plant and ecosystem benefits throughout Troy.
Adapted from articles:
Tree investments brings Cities many happy returns. - Kathleen Wolf, University of Washington
National Research Plan for Urban Forestry 2005 - 2015 - National Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council.
The web site Plants for People.
