Arbor Day 2024

During hot and humid summer days, Southerners rely on the cooling effects of shade trees in their communities and around their homes. In fact, shade from trees can lessen the burden on home air conditioning units, reducing household energy consumption by 10-15%. Urban areas that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas, known as heat islands, adding tree cover could lower surface and air temperatures by 20–45°F.

In the winter, trees break the force of winter winds, lowering heating costs.

Community trees remove air pollution by lowering air temperature, releasing water into the atmosphere, retaining particulates and absorbing CO2. By reducing the need for heating and cooling systems, trees also indirectly help reduce emissions.

Trees, woodlands and forests in and around cities, towns and communities provide several social services and human health benefits. Trees help sustain our health, boost our immune system and improve our children’s school performance.

Urban and community forests make a substantial economic contribution to the southern regional economy. In addition to municipal and non-profit entities, the green and utility industries are key providers of urban and community forestry (U&CF) related services, contributing substantially to local and state economies.

In 2019, U&CF in the 13 southern states:

• Directly contributed $21.1 billion to the region’s industry output and $11.6 billion in value-added.
• Supported 225,283 full-time and part-time jobs.
• Had a total contribution of $43.3 billion in industry output to the regional economy.
• Employed more than 349,453 people with a payroll of about $15.4 billion.

Economic Impact Fact Sheets:

• Fact Sheet – Southern Region
• Fact Sheet – Alabama
• Fact Sheet – Arkansas
• Fact Sheet – Florida
• Fact Sheet – Georgia
• Fact Sheet – Kentucky
• Fact Sheet – Louisiana
• Fact Sheet – Mississippi
• Fact Sheet – North Carolina
• Fact Sheet – Oklahoma
• Fact Sheet – South Carolina
• Fact Sheet – Tennessee
• Fact Sheet – Texas
• Fact Sheet – Virginia

The presence of trees in communities and urban areas can increase property values. Studies have shown that the presence of trees can increase the selling price of homes by as much as 15%. In addition, shopping areas with more trees are more appealing and inviting for shoppers, which can in turn increase retail property values.

Studies have shown that a 10% increase in tree canopy is associated with an approximately 12% decrease in crime.

Tree canopies help reduce erosion caused by falling rain and provide surface area for rain water to land and evaporate. Roots also take up water and help create conditions in the soil that promote infiltration.