Planting and maintaining trees already reduces and will continue to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and operating expenses. This saves the city money. In addition to saving the city money, the presence of trees will increase revenue for local businesses. It will increase property values for residents of the city. Supporting environmental initiatives protects our green spaces, but more importantly it protects the city’s bottom dollar as well as the bottom dollar for city residents.

•Street Trees 32 feet tall can reduce storm-water runoff in excess of 325 gallons per year

•74 percent of consumers prefer establishments with trees and spend 12 percent more on goods in tree-lined areas.

•Buildings with trees have higher occupancy rates

•Homes with trees increase property value by an average of 6 percent

•Property lots with trees increase the property value by 5 percent to 20 percent

•Studies show that trees providing shade over pavement increases pavement life by 40 percent to 60 percent.

•Air conditioning costs are lower for buildings that are shaded by trees. Heating costs are reduced for buildings as well

•Trees moderate climate by: Improving air quality, reducing storm-water runoff (a major local issue), and harboring wildlife

•1 mature tree can sequester roughly 1,400 gallons of water a year. This reduces soil erosion caused by storm-water runoff as well as assisting in regulating the temperatures of creeks and other waterways.