Many trees and shrubs are planted in communities or cities to provide shade or beauty. These are two great reasons to plant them. These woody plants can also be used for other purposes. It is often helpful to think about these functions when choosing a tree or shrub. There are many benefits to trees that can be divided into different categories: economic, social, communal, environmental, and environmental.
Social benefits
Trees make our lives more enjoyable. We respond to trees’ presence more than just their beauty. A grove of trees can make us feel peaceful, calm, relaxed, and tranquil. There, we feel “at home”. Patients in hospitals have shown a faster recovery rate when they have a view of trees from their rooms. Residents in communities resisting the removal of trees for wider streets are a great example of the strong bonds between people and trees. We also note the heroic efforts made by individuals and groups to save historic or large trees in communities.
Trees have a cathedral-like appearance due to their strength and endurance. Trees are often planted as living memorials because of their long-lasting life expectancy. Trees that are planted by us or our loved ones often become our personal memories.
Communal benefits
Although trees are often considered private property, they can be part of the community due to their size. Trees can take up a lot of space so it is important to plan ahead if you want to share the benefits with your neighbors. Trees can be a great addition to a property’s function and beauty, without affecting the rights or privileges of neighbors.
Many city trees serve multiple engineering and architectural functions. They can provide privacy, enhance views or block out undesirable views. They reduce reflection and glare. They direct pedestrian traffic. They act as a background for architecture and help to soften, enhance, complement, or enhance it.
Environmental benefits
Trees can alter the environment where we live by changing climate, air quality, conserving water, and housing wildlife. Climate control can be achieved by reducing the impact of rain, sun, and wind. In summer, the radiation from the sun is absorbed by or deflected in the leaves of deciduous trees and filtered in winter by branches of deciduous trees. When we are shaded by trees, and not in direct sunlight, we are cooler. Winter is when we are most grateful for the sun’s radiant heat. We should therefore plant small deciduous trees only on the south side.
Trees can have an impact on wind speed and direction. The windbreak’s effect is greater the more compact the leaves are on a tree or group of trees. Trees absorb or deflect the rain, snow, hail, and sleet that falls down, providing some protection to people, pets, buildings, and property. Trees trap water and store it. This helps to reduce storm runoff and flood risk.
Because the soil is less radiant at night, dew and frost are less common in trees.
The temperature is lower near trees than it is far away. The cooling effect is greater the larger the tree. We can reduce the heat island effect that is caused by commercial buildings and pavements in cities by planting trees.
Trees, shrubs, or turf can improve the air quality. The leaves filter the air we inhale by removing dust particles and other particulates. The pollutants are then washed away by rain. The carbon dioxide in the air is absorbed by leaves to create carbohydrates, which are essential for the plant’s structure. Other air pollutants like ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide are also absorbed by leaves. In turn, they give off oxygen.
We can restore a natural, more natural environment by planting trees and shrubs. The area is a magnet for birds and other wildlife. Both above and below the ground, you can still see the natural cycles of plant growth and reproduction. The urban environment is restored to natural harmony.
Economic benefits
Each tree and shrub has its own value. However, the variety of their species, sizes, conditions, and functions makes it difficult to determine their economic value. There are both direct and indirect economic benefits to trees. Energy costs are often associated with direct economic benefits. A tree-shaded house has lower air conditioning costs. A windbreak can reduce heating costs. From the moment they are planted, trees increase in value. Landscaped homes are more desirable than un-landscaped ones, so trees are a smart investment. Homeowners benefit directly from the energy savings and increase in property values.
Even greater are the indirect economic benefits that trees can bring to your economy. These benefits are available to the entire community. Customers pay lower electricity bills when power companies use less water in cooling towers, create fewer facilities to meet peak demand, use less fossil fuel in furnaces, and take fewer measures to reduce air pollution. If fewer stormwater management facilities are needed, communities can also save money. These savings may seem small to an individual, but for communities, they can often be thousands of dollars.
Trees require an investment
While trees offer many aesthetic and economic benefits, they also have their costs. For your trees to bring you the desired benefits, it is necessary to make an investment. When trees and shrubs are bought and planted, they cost the most. Most trees and shrubs require some watering in the beginning. Tree removal and disposal can be costly for leaves, branches, and whole trees.
Trees must be maintained in order to function well in the landscaping. The informed homeowner can do a lot. Trees can get a head start by corrective pruning and mulching. However, shade trees can quickly grow to such a large size that professional arborists may be required. Arborists are equipped with the necessary knowledge and equipment to maintain large trees. Ask your garden center owner, university extension agent, or community forester for advice on tree care and to recommend qualified arborists.
Alternative to PHC
It can be difficult to maintain mature landscapes. A professional plant health care (PHC), a maintenance program is something you might consider. This program is available from many landscape companies. This program is intended to maintain plant health and should initially include an inspection to identify and treat any potential problems that could prove fatal or damaging. Regular inspections and preventative maintenance are key to maintaining plant beauty and health.
This post was written by Cody O’Connor, owner of Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care. Robert Miller is the owner of Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care, a locally owned and operated tree service company that offers superb lawn care by the most experienced Arborists. Arbor Wise Tree Services is a tree removal company that offers stump removal, tree trimming clearwater fl, stump grinding, fertilization, and tree restoration. We have an extraordinary lawn care industry notoriety covering the Pinellas county area.