Let's Talk About Trees

Our urban trees are worth saving and adding to. Lord knows we could use more shade in Arlington. I worked on strengthening our TREE ORDINANCE for almost 2 years! We added in stronger restrictions on removing native trees and strong incentives for preserving and planting more trees! I'm proud of the revised tree ordinance but it could still use some reworking.

Besides shade, trees are important in minimizing rainwater runoff and therefore minimizing erosion on our creeks and waterways. Trees hold an enormous amount of water and dissipate it slowly through transpiration, making the area around them cooler. This means runoff after rains is slower, which reduces erosion.

Trees also provide cooling benefits in our urban environment. The shade they provide can lower temperatures on sidewalks, streets, and in yards, making our neighborhoods more comfortable during the hot Texas summers. This cooling effect also reduces the urban heat island effect, which is when cities become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and the prevalence of heat-absorbing surfaces like asphalt and concrete.

Trees improve air quality. Trees act as natural filters, capturing pollutants. Trees can also help to reduce noise pollution from traffic and other sources.

Newsflash: Money does actually grow on trees!

Real estate professionals consistently report that properties with mature trees sell faster and command higher prices than comparable homes without significant tree coverage. The numbers back this up. Studies from the University of Washington found that trees can add 7 % to residential property values, while other research suggests the impact can reach 19 % for properties with exceptional tree coverage.

The financial impact extends beyond the sale price. Trees reduce energy costs by providing shade that lowers cooling expenses during our brutal Texas summers. Strategically placed trees can cut air conditioning costs by 20 to 50 percent! The same holds true for commercial properties. Trees on the property command higher rents and more sales.

Trees provide habitat for birds and small animals. And, of course, trees are beautiful. Yes, they take some maintenance. And then there is leaf collection in Fall. But they more than make up for that with all their benefits.

For all these reasons I will continue to advocate for our trees, preserving our urban tree canopy, and more shade in general in Arlington.

https://news.unl.edu/article/study-trees-have-315-billion-impact-on-home-values-each-year
https://embarkservices.com/trees-a-strategic-investment-for-commercial-real-estate