Maintaining and planting trees provide numerous environmental and health benefits for the various organisms living and visiting in our area. Important benefits that urban trees provide include:

• Cleaning Air and Mitigating Climate Change: Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen. Trees also intercept airborne pollutants common in urban cities. Both actions help mitigate climate change and contribute to cleaner air.
• Intercepting Rainfall and Absorbing Stormwater: Trees absorb rainfall and decrease stormwater runoff, reducing erosion and pollution in our waterways. A healthy tree canopy means cleaner rivers and less investment in costly infrastructure. By intercepting rainfall and absorbing stormwater, trees help reduce water damage.
• Reducing Energy: Trees provide shade, saving residents and businesses on energy cooling costs. This in turn, reduces energy useage. Creating a Healthier and Safer Community: Green spaces help residents combat stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s shown that tree-lined streets have a traffic calming effect, which help keep drivers and pedestrians safe. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue, thus creating a healthier and safer community.
• Increased Business Activity: Trees attract businesses and tourists. People may linger and shop longer at businesses that are surrounded by trees which in turn, increases business and encourages social activity.
• Support Wildlife: Trees provide food, homes, and shelter for many native and migratory animals. They support and protect wildlife, which benefits all of us.

From the City's Tree and Landscape Board