We all like trees......... but........ and sometimes its a big-butt - trees can cause problems. Before you decide whether a tree is worth keeping consider the following benefits of trees.

The people really like trees; probably too much. The guy in the picture below is obviously a lunatic, no hang on that me.

Trees provide a host of benefits to you every day. From fresh air to added property value. Investment in establishing and maintaining the right trees in the right place is not just environmentally friendly, it is also cost effective. 
 
Check out the New York City Green plan PlaNYC

Trees are the 'living tools' we can use to save us money and fight climate change. Its a win-win situation !

But remember that the wrong tree in the wrong place WILL cause environmental damage and be expensive to manage. As a practising arborist it is my constant job to deal with planting mistakes of others, when I would rather be making improvements.
 
So don't just guess which tree to plant - get some real help - from a qualified arborist. There are a lot of good ones out there, ideally look for one that has degree level qualifications and is a chartered environmentalist.

Bryn Andrews December 2nd 2008

Traditionally the benefits derived from trees have been narrowly focused on the timber or aesthetic values.
In 1972 Gary Robinette, the then the executive director of the American Society of Landscape Architects, published 'People, Plants and the Environmental Quality' - which enabled a much wider perspective.

Thanks to research we now know much more about the other indirect benefits. A good example is the importance of protection from excessive solar UV radiation and sunburn. Skin cancer which in the south west of England is known to be the most frequent cancer. 

The Ecological Benefits
Where do you start! Ecology is a massive and complex subject and trees are an integral part of the complex web of interactions. Basically trees are an essential element of our natural systems and in urban areas probably the most important element.
The ecological benefits of woodland is well studied and generally well understood. The benefits derived from single street trees is less well known. Diversity of tree age, health and size are all good for the ecological system as niches and habitats and opportunties are provided for the flora and fauna that is all around us.
Generally native species attract more species than exotic. And deadwood - either standing or fallen - is also extremely ecologically beneficial. Nature is not tidy nor very often does it need any help. A wild area with stacks of wood and trees and shrubs suited to the species that will gain most benefit are all that are required. Arborists can play a big role here by not being to fastidious about making trees 'clean' and adopting a eco-pruning approach that mimics nature. This is westend tree services specialitity.
Check out the Ancient tree forum for more details
 

Trees add value to Property - if the right tree is in the right place
Numerous studies have shown that tree cover adds value to property. The general concensus is that the right trees in the right place can add about 5% to your properties value. Planting the right tree and taking good care of it adds value. Although studies have yet to show it, it is likely that the wrong tree can devalue your property.
It is common sense then to get the right advice when choosing a tree. You need to bare in mind the mature size of the tree - height and spread - among other things. To do this topic justice is not possible here. Further advice can be had from this authors office on 01935 864537 or through the Arboricultural Association.

Shading
Trees block UV radiation and convert some of it into chemical bonds through photosynthesis and grow. This is shade. During the summer shade is a valuable commodity.  Human comfort is improved by shading. Deciduous trees on the south side of a property will allow light through in the winter and help maintain the temperature of buildings, but shade it in the summer.
Trees are natures air-conditioning systems.

Trees and Humidity and precipitation
Low levels of humidity make living conditions unpleasant during the summer and can cause breathing difficulties. Trees increase humidity, nuff said.

Trees and Carbon sequestration
Trees trap significant amounts of carbon within their tissues and if that wood is then used for construction or manufacturing leads to it being trapped and taken out of the carbon cycle. Also trees provide fuel either as wood or as oil as alternatives to fossil fuels. Trees can can provide regular fuel wood without being felled by using the very ancient practises of pollarding, copparding, coppicing, laying and shredding. Some of these terms are not commonly used but all basically mean uses branches or stems but leaving the tree to regrow. This re-setts the tree biological clock which theroetically could tick forever. These operations do not suit all species of trees so consult a qualified arborists if unsure.

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Trees and Glare and reflection
Solar radiation adversely affects human visual as well as thermal comfort. The safety implications of night time glare is all too familiar to motorists. But also the day time need to squint and look away from bight reflected light can be a serious consideration for road users and pedestrians alike.
Planting the right-tree-in-the-right-place blocks glare.

Trees and Soil erosion control
Soil erosion in urban ares is a serious problem. Erosion takes place by wind and water. Reductions in wind speed and water kinetic energy by trees is extremely beneficial.

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Trees and Socio-psychological benefits
Trees make people happy, why? - because we are in essence woodland animals. We are at home around trees and the wildlife associated with them. This is a BIG ISSUE as current understanding of our relationship with wildlife - or lack of it - is a very real issue - check out = Nature deficit disorder

Trees and Recreation and employment
Walking in woodland or in parks is healthy exercise for the mind body and soul.
More treed areas to walk and generally enjoy means a healthier populace - less stress and physically stronger. A low cost medicine. It is a win-win situation.
Creating, managing and maintaining trees employs thousands of people. British arboriculture is changing into a profession and moving away from the glorified gardener or forester image. Professional arboriculturists are now on par with the other higher professions of long standing.
 
Potentially there is massive room for expansion for arborists to help provide all the benefits listed in this page and in so doing get environmentally sustainable and enjoyable employment.

Trees and Air conditioning
Trees can be used to manipulate air movement by funnelling it where it is wanted or sheltering where it isn't. And are your 24/7 air conditioning units. Think of find the cool shade of trees on a hot summers day. The same applies to cars in car parks and to your home.

Trees and pollution attenuation
The UK government estimates that 24,000 people die prematurely each year as a result of air pollution ( http://www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/briefings/html/20001102081826.html ). Asthma is a particularly siginificant problem and is now believed to affect 1 in 7 children http://www.asthma-uk.co.uk/asthma4.htm.
Deciduous trees, in particular, are believed to be particularly effective at removing particulate matter from the air. The particles stick on the leaves and are carried with the leaves into the soil and fresh leaves produced.
Some trees can produced Volititle organic compounds (VOCs) that are belived to contribute to the formation of ozone and carbon monoxide, however studies show that increasing tree cover lowers overall VOC emmissions and ozone levels in urban areas. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/publications/airqual-climatechange/pdf/contents-execsumm.pdf

Trees and Sound
Sound attentuation reduces sound intensity by absorption of the energy of the sound into another object. Sounds can also be defrected, reflected, refacted and masked. Human hearinmg is better at hearing high frequencies and trees have been found to be good at absorbing high frequency sound waves and effectively 'filter' the sound making it more pleasant to the human ear.Trees have been shown to reduce sound energy by 50%. The sound of leaves and twigs moving masks unplesant sounds and has been described as trees singing. The accompaniement of bird song produices a white noise that we naturally prefer.

Trees and Traffic control
A varied view for the motorist, increases awareness. Variation in size, density, colour, distance all have an effect.
Also, studies have shown that the calming effect of roadside landscapes significantly reduces stress and road rage.
Trees can also provide barriers for soft impact and prevent access to roads by pedestrains. Obviously trees can be a serious road hazard too and these are environmentally damaging. If 'damaging' to too valuable to remove (i.e. veteran or ancient trees) then a soft-impact need to be created or the road re-routed. Currently our roadside trees are not managed in this way and that is why you see flowers beneath trees........ sad but true.
Strategically placed trees can slow traffic, particularly in residential areas. Creating a slalom in a road with tree plantings is a well known method of this.

Storm water Run-Off
England has recently seen the worst flooding in about a half century. Storm water run off from streets, roofs, parking areas, compacted soil and all other impervious surfaces contribute greatly to storm water run off. Water is channeled and develops speed that is damaging. The overloading of the combined storm water and sewage systems can lead to over flow and system break down. The cost of installing and repairing these hard infrastructures is very high and environmentally damaging.
Trees reduce storm water runoff by maintaining natural infiltration and by intercepting the rain and holding or evaporating it before it reaches the ground. We all know that if we stand under a tree during a rain storm we get a lot of shelter from the tree and ground remains dry. Studies have shown a reduction of up to 6% of storm water run off can be attained by increasing tree cover. Trees do this all year round. The ground they stand in is effectively a giant sponge - which traps water and releases it slowly, naturally - give rivers time to cope and preventing flooding.
Planting woodland and forests - or even just one tree - all helps to reduce flooding.