The most obvious way trees cool the air is by shading. Reducing the amount of sunlight striking buildings and pavement reduces the amount of energy that is absorbed and re-radiated into the air.
Trees also cool the air by a …
What is a safe distance to keep between a tree and my house?
The distance between your home and a tree planting should be determined by the mature width of the tree’s canopy. Trees should be planted at least a distance of 1/2 of their mature canopy width from a home. For example, …
Urban Forests and Pollution
Written by Melanie Lenart, University of Arizona
Urban trees play multiple roles when it comes to local air pollution. While trees in general help reduce air pollution, including absorbing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, some species contribute to local smog …
Urban Forests and Heat Waves
Cost-Benefit Approach to Urban Forests: A Western Analysis
Designing Urban Forests
Trees add texture and services (shade and temperature modification) in urban environments. (Photo by Rod Kindlund).
Urban forestry managers can find it useful to assess their cities’ programs using a cost-benefit analysis, many of which have been incorporated into …
Trees and Local Temperature
Figure 1. Trees shade an urban parking lot.
Written by Melanie Lenart
Urban forests can help keep cities within a healthy temperature range, although the exact temperature reduction from urban forests is difficult to measure. The extent of the effect …
Climate Mitigation by Urban Forests
Planting trees in urban areas can help mitigate carbon dioxide levels because trees can sequester carbon and offset some energy use for cooling, as some studies have illustrated in California.
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32…
What is a windbreak, and how can it help reduce my home energy bills?
A windbreak is considered any plant or physical barrier that can slow down or divert the wind. If properly located, trees, fencing, and buildings can all serve as windbreaks. Research conducted on the Great Plains has shown that up to …
Urban Forests and Climate Change
Adapted from: McPherson, E.G., J.R. Simpson, P.J. Peper, and E. Aguaron. 2008. Urban Forestry and Climate Change. Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. http://www.fs.fed.us/ccrc/topics/urban-forests/
Urban forests can be useful both in mitigating climate change and in helping …