A Windfall From Trees

Trees are on the job 24 hours a day, 365 day a year. Just how much is their unceasing effort worth? The American Forestry Association did a study over 10 years ago and concluded that a single urban tree with a 50 year life span yields about $273 in environmental and economic benefits each year:

  • Air conditioning: $73 savings
  • Stemming erosion and storm water runoff: $75
  • Providing wildlife shelter: $75
  • Controlling air pollution: $50

 

Compounding $273 for 50 years at 5% yields $57,151 in economic and environmental benefits per urban tree.

Shannon LaBare