Forest policy values Newcastle trees at $20m; Newcastle, Australia

Forest policy values Newcastle trees at $20m - Local News - News - General - The Herald: THE more than 100,000 trees greening Newcastle's public spaces are valued at almost $20 million, new figures show.
Civic strategists have been analysing leafy areas as part of a Newcastle urban forest policy.
Since the policy was adopted in May 2008, Newcastle City Council has developed an asset management system for the city's trees.
New communities and green corridor principal strategist Ian Rhodes said tree canopy covered 21 per cent of the local government area.
The 103,000 public trees have a replacement value of $19.5 million.
Mr Rhodes said trees in urban areas provided environmental, social and economic benefits.
'They act like the lungs of the city, they filter the air and the water,' he said.