The Role of Trees in Our

Environment

By: Jenni Reaves

July 31, 2001
 Trees
By: Joyce Kilmer
 The Significance of Trees

• An archive of the past

• The circle of life
• Cultural appreciation
What does a tree mean to you?
The Importance of Trees

• wind barriers
• filtration
• biodiversity
• shade
• erosion control
• decreases noise pollution
The Living Landscape
• Rural
• Suburban
• Urban
How do you value trees in rural environments?
 Benefits of Trees in the Rural Environment

• Wind protection for crops

• Erosion control
• Creates diverse plant and animal habitats
• Purifies the air absorbing carbon monoxide, sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen dioxide
The Rural Setting

• Preserving habitat
- Black River Preserve
- Green Swamp Preserve

• N.C. Farmland Preservation Program

- Maryland and Pennsylvania
 Cont.. Rural Setting
• Creek Restoration
-Programs initiated by various governmental and non-
profit organizations

Before After
How do trees function in suburban environments?
Benefits of Trees in Suburban Environments

• Shade canopy

• Building Ecology
• Noise Buffers
• Habitat for suburban wildlife
 The Suburban Portrait

• Sustainable development
• New Urbanism
- Vermillion; Charlotte, N.C.
- Davidson, N.C.
What are the components that make an urban tree
unique to it’s environment?
 Benefits of Trees in Urban Environments

• Tree muffle urban noise.

• A mature leafy tree produces as
much oxygen in a season as 10
people inhale in a year.
• Trees help cleanse the air.
• Trees can be cool!
• Energy savers and windbreakers.
 Urban Setting
• Planning

-revitalization
-ordinances
• Community involvement
 Seattle, WA

Environmental Liability Environmental Amenity

 Environmental Education is the Key

• Investigate programs in your community

- Project Learning Tree
- Project WILD
- Adopt A Tree