Learn about the Woonsocket Tree Ordinance
Why Trees?
Trees provide many benefits - not only to the planet, but also to communities and individuals.
Here are a few ways trees positively affect us:
Trees help clean our air.
Trees remove pollution from the atmosphere, improving air quality and human health. U.S. Forest Service, 2013
Roadside trees reduce nearby indoor air pollution by more than 50%. Lancaster University, United Kingdom, 2013
Trees help reduce the effects of climate change.
Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), removing and storing the carbon while releasing the oxygen back into the air.
During one year, a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. European Environment Agency
Trees are a good investment of our public dollars
Every dollar spent on planting and caring for a community tree yields benefits that are two to five times that investment—benefits that include cleaner air, lower energy costs, improved water quality and storm water control and increased property values. U.S. Forest Service, 2011
A cost-benefit analysis of the Berkeley, California, tree canopy indicated that each camphor tree had an annual net benefit to the city and its residents of nearly $12,500, each shamel ash showed a $9,600 annual net benefit, and each London planetree had an annual net benefit of more than $8,700 per tree. Berkely, 2005
Trees increase our property values.
In Portland, Oregon, homes with street trees sold for $7,130 more, on average, and 1.7 days more quickly. U.S. Forest Service, 2008
In Fulton County (Atlanta), Georgia, mature trees positively influenced home sale prices. Homes sold for nearly $105,000 more in neighborhoods with mature trees. University of Georgia, 2002
Trees help us save energy.
Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% and can save 20–50% in energy used for heating. U.S. Forest Service
Carefully positioned trees can reduce a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling by up to 25%. Computer models devised by the U.S. Department of Energy predict that the proper placement of only three trees can save an average household between $100 and $250 in energy costs annually. Energy.gov
Trees help reduce crime.
In Baltimore, a 10% increase in tree canopy corresponded to a 12% decrease in crime. University of Vermont and U.S. Forest Service, 2012
Among minor crimes, there is less graffiti, vandalism and littering in outdoor spaces with trees as a part of the natural landscape than in comparable plant-less spaces. University of Washington
Chicago public housing residents with nearby trees and natural landscapes reported 25% fewer acts of domestic aggression and violence. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2001
Impact of Trees Locally
Groundwork Rhode Island (GWRI) planted 197 trees between May 2021 and November 2022 throughout the cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls, Rhode Island. The goal of the project was to increase tree equity, address social disparities, and promote public health in the two cities, which have among the lowest tree canopy and median household incomes in the state.
See Your Neighborhood’s Tree Equity Score
American Forests developed Tree Equity Score to address damaging environmental inequities in tree distribution common to cities and towns all across the U.S. Tree Equity Score establishes an equity-first standard to guide investment in critical urban tree infrastructure, starting with neighborhoods with the greatest need.
The Tree Equity Score was created so that every person has the information they need to advocate for the health and resilience of their community.