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From TURFMUTT

 As the summer heats up and urban areas grow hotter, the TurfMutt Foundation reminds homeowners of the importance of trees.

Trees are tops at reducing heat islands...and more:

• Mother Nature’s air conditioner. By providing shade, trees lower surface and air temperatures. In fact, shaded surfaces could be 20-45°F cooler than temperatures in unshaded areas and evapotranspiration can help reduce summer temperatures by 2-9°F. 

• Increased tree canopy means decreased heat-related illnesses. More trees can help people stay safe during hot days. According to a study published in The Lancet, increasing the tree canopy in 93 European cities to 30 per cent coverage could prevent an estimated four in 10 premature heat-related deaths. 

• Better mental health. According to the Arbor Day Foundation’s Canopy Report, people who engage with trees and green spaces on a daily basis are happier and score higher in their mental and physical health than those spending time in nature less often. City dwellers with access to adequate green space experience 31 percent less psychological distress and children who live near a green space have a decreased risk of developing mental health disorders as they age.

• Good for the environment. Trees are one of nature’s environmental superheroes. One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. Two mature trees provide enough oxygen for one person to breathe over the course of a year.

• Energy savings. Strategically placing trees around buildings and homes can save up to 30 per cent on air conditioning costs and up to 50 per cent for heating. The US Department of Energy devised computer models that predict the proper placement of only three trees can save an average household between $100 and $250 in energy costs annually.

More about creating the yard of your dreams at TurfMutt.com.