Every dollar spent on planting and caring for a community tree yields benefits that are two to five times that investment—benefits that include cleaner air, lower energy costs, improved water quality and storm water control and increased property values. - The Arbor Day Foundation, Tree Facts
Fairfax County's Urban Forest By the Numbers
Tons of pollutants removed from the air annually (valued at $1.83 billion)
4,500
Tons of carbon stored (valued at $969 million)
7,466,000
Tons of oxygen produced annually
232,900
Cubic feet of stormwater runoff avoided annually
392,600,000
Building energy savings
$34,300,000
Tons of carbon emissions avoided (valued at $6,740,000)
Energy conservation: Properties with trees that shade homes from afternoon sun often have energy costs that are 20-25 percent lower than those without.
Increased property values: Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property's value and landscaping with trees can increase property values as much as 20 percent.
Trees increase your property's curb appeal.
Increased salability of homes: The majority of realtors surveyed believe that mature trees have a "strong or moderate impact" on the salability of homes.
Stress reduction: It has been shown that exposure to trees can decrease blood pressure and reduce muscle tension.
Screening: Trees increase privacy and reduce the impacts of unwanted views, lights, wind and noise on your property.
Enhanced quality of life.
How Do Trees Benefit Your Community?
Improved air quality: Once mature, the additional canopy will provide 5.3 million dollars of air pollution removal annually.
Increased carbon dioxide absorption and storage: The additional canopy will absorb over 10 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and eliminate the need for spending over one million dollars in greenhouse gas reduction services each year.
Energy conservation: 4.7 million dollars of energy conservation services will be provided by the additional canopy annually.
Improved water quality.
Improved wildlife habitat.
Decreased stormwater runoff: The stormwater management capacity associated with the additional mature tree canopy is estimated to cost $510,632,400 to construct.
Cooled ambient air temperature.
i-Tree Design Calculates Projected Benefits
Below is an example of i-Tree Design's Total Projected Benefits (2017-2047) for a site
Over the next 30 years, based on forecasted tree growth, i-Tree Design projects total benefits worth $3,918.
$1,560 of stormwater runoff savings by intercepting 157,584 gallons of rainfall
$88 of air quality improvement savings by absorbing and intercepting pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter; reducing energy production needs; and lowering air temperature.
$312 of savings by reducing 32,150 pounds of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions
$1,323 of summer energy savings by direct shading and air cooling effect through evapotranspiration
$635 of winter energy savings by slowing down winds and reducing home heat loss
Trees are a great investment in your property and a source of pride and pleasure. Proper planting and maintenance are essential to protect your investment and make the most of the benefits of having trees.