The measurable benefit of trees

23-Mar-09 | Environment | Design
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A report by Natural England and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe) says that urban areas could be transformed into healthier, wealthier and much more pleasant places if green infrastructure received even a fraction of the investment allotted "grey" areas.
Indeed, switching public spending from "grey" projects building roads and expanding airports , to "green" schemes creating parks and allotments, would save billions of pounds, improve health, cut climate emissions and create jobs, say official advisers to the government.
Among the measurable benefits of trees cited:
  • Asthma rates for children fall 25% for every extra 350 trees per sq km.
    • Money for a new Heathrow runway could provide 22m street trees.
    • 1,000 new parks could help avoid 74,000 tonnes of carbon a year.
    • For every 5% of tree cover added, water run-off is reduced 2%.
    • A treeless street is 5.5C (10F) warmer than a tree-lined one in hot summers.
    • Property in treeless streets is worth 18% less than buildings in roads that have trees.
(Source: Guardian.co.uk) | Cost: | For further info...