Urban trees can save money

Much world-wide research concludes that trees in urban spaces contribute significantly to the economy.

And, even in Australia:

1 A survey by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland found that homes in leafy Brisbane streets were valued up to 30% higher than those in streets with few trees. (Plant, L. (2006). Brisbane: “Beautiful one day, perfect the next” - Is there room for improvement - LINK)

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2 Broad-leaved trees in the northern suburbs of Perth were found to increase the median property values by as much as $16,000. (Pandita, R., Polyakovb, M., Tapsuwanc, S. & Morand, T. (2013). The effect of street trees on property value in Perth, Western Australia - LINK)

3 Brisbane’s street trees provide an estimated annual benefit of $1.6million in air pollutant removal, carbon sequestration and rainfall interception. (Proceedings of the 7th National Street Tree Symposium, 7-8 September 2006, Adelaide, SA. Adelaide: TREENET - LINK)

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4 In the Melbourne City, each tree is estimated to provide ecosystem services to the value of $160pa. (Nursery and Garden Industry Australia. Estimating the benefits of Australian street trees, a pilot study - LINK).

5 All of Moreland City Council’s street trees have a combined amenity value of over $270 million. (Moreland’s Urban Forest Strategy 2017 – 2027 -LINK)

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6 A typical street tree in Adelaide is estimated to provide gross annual benefits of about $420. (Brindal, M. & R. Stringer (2009). The value of urban trees: Environmental factors and economic efficiency - LINK)

7 An Australia-wide survey concludes that for a property with a base value of $500,000, Australians are happy to pay up to $35,000 more to buy a home in a leafy neighbourhood. (Fig 9, P21, Valuing Trees: What is Nature Worth. A research report commissioned by Planet Ark - LINK.)

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Why do we still cut them down?

PS 1:

The San Diego County Trees project has a cool Tree Plotter website (LINK). You can click on a particular tree plotted on an interactive map and up will come photos and data including the eco-benefits, such as absorbing stormwater runoff, energy conservation, air quality and carbon sequestration, etc.

PS 2:
Look for the Friends of Drouin's Trees at the Ficifolia Festival. Come and meet the team of tree huggers. There will be give-aways - even some trees - games for the kids, count the rings, information sheets, etc etc.