Urban Forests, Trees That Breath Life Into A City
UUrban forests provide a host of benefits that contribute to the health and well-being of people living in the cities and the environment and urban forests are becoming increasingly important as urbanization continues to spread. Urban planners need to explore the importance of urban forests, the benefits they provide, and the different types of trees that benefit their cities.
The Importance of Urban Forests
Ten percent tree coverage is all it takes to fit the definition of an urban forest and they can take many forms: a treed park, community gardens, street trees and small undeveloped wooded areas. Urban forests improve quality of life, improve air quality, and reduce the phenomenon called the “heat island” effect that is afflicting most major cities during the hot summer months. Treeing any city brings nature to the people, something they can smell, touch, and feel.
The Need for Urban Forests
With more people living in cities, the demand for development increases, which leads to a decrease in green spaces. Climate change is making matters worse in many towns in cities creating the “heat island” effect: a phenomenon caused by the heating of the concrete jungle most of us live in by several degrees during the hot summer months. Traffic exhaust is choking our cities and trees are the best defense against air borne pollutants. In fact, if we planted 30 trees for every automobile in the city, we would eradicate smog.
The Benefits of an Urban Forest
- Improved air quality: Planting the right kind of trees can help remove pollutants, produce oxygen, and improve air quality in cities.
- Reduced urban heat island effect: Trees provide shade and cooling, reducing the urban heat island effect and decreasing energy consumption.
- Mitigated stormwater runoff: Trees help absorb and filter stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality.
- Enhanced aesthetic appeal: Urban forests provide a natural and beautiful landscape that enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of cities.
- Increased habitat for wildlife: Trees provide a natural habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife, increasing waning biodiversity in cities.
- Promoted physical and mental health: Urban forests provide a space for physical activity, relaxation, and stress reduction, promoting both physical and mental health.
Types of Beneficial City Trees for Shade, Beauty, and Ambiance
- Maple: Maples are a popular choice for cities, providing beautiful fall foliage and shade.
- Oak: Oaks are a long-lived tree that provides shade and habitat for wildlife.
- Dogwood: Dogwoods are a small ornamental tree that provides beautiful spring blooms.
- Birch: Birches are a fast-growing tree that provides shade and beautiful bark.
- Redbud: Redbuds are a small ornamental tree that provides beautiful pink and purple spring blooms.
The Importance of City Trees to Reduce the "Heat Island" Effect Caused by Global Warming
The absorption and retention of heat by urban surfaces, like buildings and roads, increase the temperature of cities by several degrees however, trees can play a crucial role in reducing temperatures by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. As trees exchange carbon for oxygen, they release moisture in the air, which cools the surrounding environment.
The Importance of Urban Forests for Sequestering Carbon to Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change
As cities continue to grow and expand, the importance of urban forests in sustainable urban development cannot be overstated so it stands to reason that policymakers should prioritize the preservation and creation of urban forests as a key strategy for mitigating climate change in cities and towns worldwide.
Urban Forests, Article Posted July 07, 2023