What Have Trees Ever Done for Me?

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TREES PROVIDE MORE THAN YOU MIGHT THINK!

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS:

  • Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. 

  • Trees remove ozone, pollution & particulate matter from the air.  

  • Trees serve as food and shelter for other wildlife. 

  • Trees help retain stormwater, reduce flooding and prevent pollution from entering groundwater, streams and rivers. 

    PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS: 

  • Trees filter the air and reduce pollutants in the air that trigger respiratory ailments such as asthma. 

  • Trees shade playgrounds, sidewalks and parks, encouraging physical activity and overall fitness. 

 

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS:

  • Trees are aesthetically pleasing—beautifying our neighborhoods and streets. 

  • Trees can help to reduce crime. 

  • Trees enhance our emotional and mental health. 

  • Trees can even encourage drivers to slow down.  

 

ENERGY SAVINGS:

  • Trees reduce the need for air conditioning in the summer by shading buildings. 

  • Trees help cool down the City of Newburgh

  • Trees reduce the need for heat in the winter by serving as windbreaks.  

 

ECONOMIC BENEFITS: 

According to the City’s Tree Inventory, Newburgh’s street trees bring the City an annual economic benefit value of over $500,000.

 

  • Greenhouse Gas Benefits by CO2 absorption:   $4,267.76

  • Water Benefits by preventing flooding and runoff:       $42,390.66

  • Energy Benefits from shading and cooling: $208,445.08

  • Air Quality Benefits by producing oxygen:   $31,089.04

  • Property Benefits from beautification:             $222,083.22
                                                                    TOTAL: $508,275.76

 

Trees help raise property values and discourage redlining practices that harm black and brown neighborhoods in many ways, such as higher than market mortgage rates that can put homeownership out of reach. 

The environmental benefits of trees increase as a tree grows in size. 

So it’s in everyone’s interest to help trees grow and thrive!