Heat Island Effect: Trees and The Environment

Trees are much more than something pretty in your yard. They are important for a number of reasons, including habitats for wildlife, reduce noise pollution and land erosion. In addition, trees and plants have a great impact on our air quality, water quality and urban temperatures.

The heat island effect describes the relationship between higher temperatures in an urban setting as opposed to the lower temperatures found in more rural areas. Cities often have fewer trees and greater heat producing manmade structures, causing higher urban area temperatures.

Trees help to reduce the urban heat island effect, which contributes to increased levels of such things as higher ambient temperatures, air pollution, higher demands on cooling systems, and health problems related to heat and pollution. Trees act like filters. The leaves capture particulates like dust and pollen and remove them from the air. They also remove and store carbon and reduce our need for energy. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas. In the process of photosynthesis, plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. A healthy tree uses over 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide each year. The carbon is stored in the tree (wood is about 45 percent carbon, a flammable material helpful in burning wood for a fire) and the oxygen is released back into the atmosphere.