The top 6 reasons to plant a tree – and to inspire others to join you!

In my neighborhood we lost 40 percent of our streets’ shade trees over 25 years before we acted.

Now we are planting every fall and enjoying new native trees along our streets and sidewalks as we restore what was lost.

How did we turn it around? It started by simply looking up. Our town’s slow tree loss over 25 years, from development and the stress of climate change, was easy to overlook. It took our village’s environment team noticing the growing canopy gaps and deciding to lead the charge.

Want to lead the charge in your neighborhood? You’ll find you can almost certainly get a “yes” from others you ask to help you. Most people agree that trees are good for neighborhoods – and the planet. Nationwide, almost 90 percent of people recently surveyed believe it’s a critical time to plant, in part to help mitigate a warming climate.

You’re also likely to find local resources to fund or supply the trees. In my county we can sign up for free trees with the Tree Montgomery program. Just south of us, in Washington DC, residents can get trees from the non-profit Casey Trees. What’s available where you are?

No matter who needs recruiting to your tree planting efforts, there’s a reason, a “why plant a tree,” that will resonate with them:

1. Cooler temperatures. On hot summer days, trees can cool your neighborhood by up to 10 degrees. More trees yield more relief, with benefits peaking when the collective canopy covers 40 percent or more of an area.
2. Better health. A tree-filled block improves how healthy we feel, comparable with a $10,000 higher income or being 7 years younger. Those healthy feelings show up as real health improvements. Among a slew of supporting studies are those showing that spending time in green and tree-filled spaces reduces risk for heart disease and diabetes, mitigates ADHD symptoms, and relieves depression, anxiety, and stress.
3. Higher property values. Trees boost property values by an average of 7 percent, for a total of $31.5 billion nationwide.
4. Lower energy bills. Trees reduce home energy costs by an average of 7 percent and up to 20 percent, shielding homes from sun in the summer and wind in the winter.
5. More wildlife. More trees in your neighborhood means you’ll spot more wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Trees provide shelter and food, and support insect life that sustains baby birds every spring. Get some binoculars and download the Merlin bird song app to enjoy your new neighbors.
6. Happiness. How can anyone say no to being happier? Trees give us that.

Need more reasons? Look for studies on traffic noise reduction, climate change mitigation, crime reduction, air quality benefits, neighborhood spirit, watershed protection, and more.

Ready to plant? Mission Green Team can help you win support and get trees planted with our Plant Seedling Trees and Map Out a Champion Tree Walk projects. Check them out and let us know how it goes (and grows)!