Hug a Tree This Earth Day, It's Saving You Money

Urban trees account for millions of dollars in benefits by promoting energy savings, air and water filtering, moderating climate, improving air quality through carbon storage, and conserving water. According to the U.S. Forest Service, a single urban tree in Florida returns over $90,000 of direct benefits during the lifetime of that tree. The city of Jacksonville operates the largest urban park system in the U.S. with roughly 80,000 acres located throughout the City. Given Jacksonville’s extensive park system, its urban trees are doing a lot to give back to citizens. Trees can help us save energy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the net cooling effect of a healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day and can save 15%-50% in air conditioning and heater costs. Trees can increase residential property values by 20%. Local businesses benefit too. It has been found that the public preferred to patronize commercial establishments and spend up to 12% more where those structures and parking lots were beautified with trees and other landscaping. Urban trees serve as mini retention ponds by helping to control runoff as the rain falls, increasing infiltration and storage of rainwater and reducing soil erosion. Jacksonville's urban trees provide stormwater storage of 928 million cubic feet, as found in a 2002 study by American Forests. Without these trees, the cost of building stormwater retention ponds and other infrastructure to handle the City’s stormwater runoff would be in the billions of dollars. Jacksonville's urban trees are helping to fight climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The National Tree Benefit Calculator (www.treebenefits.com/calculator) indicates that a 12-inch diameter live oak can generate $107 worth of benefits annually. In Jacksonville, trees sequester 69,000 total pounds of carbon a year. This carbon storage may not solve climate change in its entirety, but it shows that trees can be a part of the solution. In 2007, a study commissioned by the city of Jacksonville determined that for every dollar invested in tree planting by the City, there was a $4.51 return in benefits from storm water retention, energy conservation, cleaner air and increased property values. And these valuations don't even consider the aesthetic value of having streets and parks lined with live oaks, dogwoods, and crape myrtles. But, Jacksonville’s urban trees are more than just ornaments. The services they provide are invaluable. -Elizabeth Barron, Legal Intern