The Environmental Benefits of Regular Tree Maintenance and Removal
Trees help clean our air, water, and soil by reducing pollution. They absorb carbon dioxide, and remove and store it while releasing oxygen back into the air.
Ultimately, trees contribute to urban stormwater management through direct control of runoff intensity and amplification of soil infiltration. However, achieving reliable modeling of stormwater benefits requires a better understanding of interactions between soils, trees, and the atmosphere that occur during rainfall events.
Reduced Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Planting and maintaining trees and vegetation reduces carbon dioxide emissions because they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, store it in soil and undergrowth, and sequester it in the forest for a long time.
Trees also lower surface and air temperatures, lowering energy demand for heating and cooling buildings. This is particularly important for cities.
A study published by University College London, the University of Oxford, and ETH Zurich found that if all the world’s forests were planted and maintained, two-thirds of the carbon emissions put into the atmosphere can be removed. To reach this goal, 11% of the earth would need to be covered in trees (the size of the United States and China combined).
Reduced Noise Pollution
Planting trees and shrubs is a great way to reduce noise pollution. Trees and shrubs block sound through several mechanisms, including absorption, deflection, refraction, and masking.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, planting evergreens can reduce noise by 3 -5 dB. It also adds aesthetic value to your home and neighborhood.
Choosing the right trees to reduce noise requires knowledge of what will thrive in your area. Use online tools to help identify the best choices for your specific landscape.
For year-round noise reduction, choose a variety of broadleaf evergreens like Spruce and Oakleaf Holly. These species are fast-growing and have dense growth patterns, making them ideal for reducing noise.
Reduced Water Evaporation
Trees and other vegetation reduce water evaporation by reducing the amount of direct solar radiation absorbed. This can help regulate the local water cycle, especially in arid regions.
The evaporation of water from bare soil is another important process in the soil water balance. The rate of evaporation depends on the amount of energy transferred to the soil from climatic factors, such as solar radiation, air temperature, and wind speed.
One way to reduce evaporation is to cover water surfaces with a chemical layer or other covering material. These can be applied by hand for small ponds and may require a form of a mechanized delivery system for large storages.
Reduced Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is a serious issue worldwide. It affects lands, water, and food security. Degraded soils are more prone to flooding and mudslides, and they tend to be less fertile.
Trees are among the most effective natural protection against erosion, but human activities like farming and land clearing can have negative impacts as well. These include tilling, overgrazing, and deforestation, all of which remove ground-covering vegetation that would hold the soil in place.
In addition, many of the agricultural crops that replace trees, including coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybean, and wheat, aren’t strong enough to hold onto the soil, resulting in even more erosion as they grow up. This cycle continues as farmers move to clear more forests, removing even more of the earth’s soil and causing further erosion.
Increased Property Value
In addition to the environmental benefits, regular tree maintenance and removal can increase the value of your property. This is due to a number of factors, including a community’s popularity, a decrease in crime, and the entrance of younger homebuyers into the market.
While some people may not like the idea of paying higher property taxes, the small uptick in your home’s equity can be a great asset to help you pay off bills, take on renovations or fund a vacation. It also can help you avoid mortgage insurance, which can be an expensive monthly expense for many homeowners. With a little planning, the extra equity in your home can be an asset for years to come. Call Townsend Residential today to discuss tree pruning and removal services.
