We all know the basic benefits of greenery around us, but tree canopy has much more to offer than shade, cleaner air and the nice scenery.
A lengthy discussion at last Wednesday's Woodbury City Council workshop provided detailed information from experts on the benefits of added tree canopy in Woodbury, as well as the risks of Emerald Ash Borer.
“People have been planting trees for a very, very long time and they will continue to do so because they’re beautiful,” said Jill Johnson, coordinator of the Midwest Center for Urban and Community Forestry in St. Paul.
But trees offer much more than something nice to look at. Research shows trees reduce asthma rates in children, decrease hospital stays, make people more sociable, neighborhoods safer and lower crime rates, she added.
Trees help homeowners pay less for energy costs; they keep the temperature cooler and help with storm water management.
“All those layers of leaves can actually intercept and hold water” – as opposed to polluted water runoff on impervious surfaces, Johnson said.
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