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Statistics on the Economic Value of Trees

HEATING AND COOLING COSTS - A 25 foot tree reduces annual heating and cooling costs of a typical residence by 8 to 12 percent, producing an average $10 savings per American household. Also, buildings and paving in city centers create a heat-island effect. A mature tree canopy reduces air temperatures by about 5 to 10° F, influencing the internal temperatures of nearby buildings.   — Center for Urban Horticulture, University of Washington.

The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. — U.S. Department of Agriculture

Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent, by shading the windows and walls of a home. — American Public Power Association

If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%. — Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research

Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 - 50 percent in energy used for heating. — USDA Forest Service

Shade from trees can cool buildings up to 20 degrees in the summer (Source: City of Portland). One large deciduous tree planted within 60 feet of the west side of an average-sized home in the Northwest reduces carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming and lowers the home's cooling costs by about $444 over a 40-year lifespan, assuming an average cost of $.0941 per kwh (Source of calculation formula: Center for Urban Forest Research, Davis, California).

AIR QUALITY AND CLEANSING - A typical person consumes about 386 lb of oxygen per year. A healthy tree, say a 32 ft tall ash tree, can produce about 260 lb of oxygen annually — two trees supply the oxygen needs of a person each year! Also, cooler air temperatures created by tree canopies reduce smog levels by up to 6%, producing savings in air clean-up campaigns. Finally, a mature tree absorbs from 120 to 240 lbs of the small particles and gases of air pollution. In Sacramento, CA, for instance, this represents a value of $28.7 million. — Center for Urban Horticulture, University of Washington.

One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people. — U.S. Department of Agriculture

There are about 60-to 200- million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO2 every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs. — National Wildlife Federation

For cities struggling to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality goals and build adequate wastewater treatment facilities, trees offer high return on investment.  A 2005 study of municipal trees in Boulder, CO, estimates the city gets a $3.67 return on every dollar spent on the urban forest.”  —  Christian Science Monitor, Story by Ethan Gilsdorf, April 26, 2006 on “What is the Value of a Tree?”

IMPROVED WATER QUALITY - The canopy of a street tree absorbs rain, reducing the amount of water that will fall on pavement and then must be removed by a stormwater drainage system. In one study, 32 feet tall street trees intercepted rainfall, reducing stormwater runoff by 327 gallons. Savings are possible since cities can install surface water management systems that handle smaller amounts of runoff.  — Center for Urban Horticulture, University of Washington.

The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams. — USDA Forest Service

The 2005 study of municipal trees in Boulder, CO, found that the average tree intercepts 1,271 gallons of precipitation annually, saving the city $523,311 in storm-water retention costs.  .”  —  Christian Science Monitor, Story by Ethan Gilsdorf, April 26, 2006 on “What is the Value of a Tree?”

Each year Portland's trees intercept half a billion gallons of stormwater to save more than $11 million in stormwater management costs.  — Source: Oregonian, Oct. 3, 2007

Every 1,000 urban trees planted in the Northwest today saves the region more than a million dollars in stormwater management, pollution abatement, and energy costs.  —  Source: Center for Urban Forest Research, Davis, California. .

IMPACT ON PROPERTY VALUE —   Homes adjacent to parks and open spaces command 8% to 20% higher prices than comparable homes. — J. Compton (2001) The Impact of Trees and Open Space on  Property Values and the Property Tax Base.  Ashburn, VA:  National Park and Recreation Association

In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a "strong or moderate impact" on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%. — Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests

A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000. — Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers

Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent. — Management Information Services/International City-County Management Association (ICMA)

Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property's value. — USDA Forest Service

ECONOMIC STIMULUS -- Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent. — The Arbor Day Foundation

Rental rates were 7% higher for properties having a quality landscape versus comparable properties lacking that value.  —  K. Laverne and Winson-Geiederman, 2003.  The Influence of Trees and Landscaping on Rents at Office Buildings. Journal of Arboriculture 29, 5, 281-290.

Shoppers are willing to pay about 10% higher prices for products in a shopping area with trees, as opposed to a comparable shopping district without trees. — K. Wolfe (2003).  Public response to the Urban Forest in Inner-City Business Districts. Journal of Arboriculture, 29, 3, 117-26 

Nationally, the 60 million street trees have an average value of $525 per tree. — Management Information Services, ICMA