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General Facts About Trees

• Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
• In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles.
• Trees provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.
• Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves.
• The average tree in metropolitan area survives only about 8 years!
• A tree does not reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about 10 years.
• Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.
• Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
• Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds.
• Trees provide protection from downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail as well as reduce storm run-off and the possibility of flooding,
• Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.
• Trees located along streets act as a glare and reflection control.
• The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.

	News
	National Register of Big Trees Big trees are symbols of all the good work trees do for the quality of the environment-and our quality of life. MORE >> Green Parking II: Putting Parking Lots to Work Green parking lots are defined as those that are designed to do environmental work. Parking lots should be designed to reduce the use of energy, improve environmental quality and to ensure more healthy conditions for people. Further, parking lots should be planned and designed to reflect regional landscape types. Plant materials and other materials of construction must be used in ways that will support this objective. MORE >> Hot Topics "Hot Topic" press releases fro the USDA newsroom ranging from current pest alerts for specific regions of the United States to new trends in disease prevention and tree and plant care. MORE >> Don't Move Firewood! Camping Season is fast approaching. Please remember to not transport firewood. Tree-killing insects and diseases can lurk in firewood. These insects and diseases can't move far on their own, but when people move firewood they can jump hundreds of miles. New infestations destroy our forests, property values, and cost huge sums of money to control. MORE >> National Tree Benefits Calculator Make a simple estimation of the benefits individual street-side trees provide. With inputs of location, species and tree size, users will get an understanding of the environmental and economic value trees provide on an annual basis. For more detailed information on urban and community forest assessments, visit the i-Tree website. MORE >>

"Many a genius has been slow of growth. Oaks that flourish for a thousand years do not spring up into beauty like a reed." - George H. Lewis

	Resources
	Think Trees Brochures available through ISA Click Here The Value of Trees Imagine a world without trees. It's virtually impossible, because without trees we can't survive. Trees are essential to life and yet, they are taken for granted. Unfortunately, one million acres of forest are lost to city growth each year. MORE >>