The Importance of Trees In Urban Landscapes: Why are trees important in cities?
- appalachiaacres
- Jul 23
- 5 min read
Why is it important to have trees in the middle of a town or city?
Written by: Eileen Brook
Reviewed by: Rebecca Newbold
Trees can’t speak for themselves, so just like the Lorax, we have to speak for them, especially considering all that they do for us, which might even surprise you. They provide much-needed shade in the summer and add a nice aesthetic touch by breaking up the endless concrete with natural color in cities dominated by man-made structures. They also play a crucial role in preserving what little biodiversity remains in urban areas, help absorb water to reduce runoff from impermeable surfaces into storm drains, and improve air quality by filtering pollution.
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Trees are Cool (Literally)
Imagine it’s a hot summer day and you’re walking along the sidewalk with the sun beaming down onto you, warming your body, maybe even making it uncomfortably hot. But then you step into a shaded area and immediately feel the difference, whether it’s from a passing cloud, an overhang, or a leafy tree offering the perfect spot to cool off. Shade can significantly reduce temperatures, which is especially important in concrete jungles that trap heat. According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, urban areas can be 3 to 10 degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside (South Carolina Forestry Commission, n.d.).
If that isn’t enough to show how important trees are in cooling down urban heat islands, consider this: Pam Knox, the director of the UGA Weather Network and an agricultural climatologist, explains that when the air temperature is 95°F, a blacktop can reach up to 140°F, while shaded grass is only about 105°F (Knox, 2023). This noticeable difference may seem small on a personal scale, but across an entire city, it can determine how livable, and survivable, the environment is. These extreme temperatures aren’t ideal for most organisms, and certainly not our furry friends, who risk burning their paws on hot pavement. So next time you’re walking through the city, take a moment to appreciate just how cool, literally and figuratively, trees are.
A Bit of Green Never Hurt
City infrastructure is often harsh and rigid, dominated by materials like concrete, brick, steel, and asphalt, all of which tend to be plain and colorless. Lining streets with trees offers a visual break from these constructed surfaces, adding a pop of green in the spring and summer, and bursts of yellow, orange, and red in the fall and early winter.
Beyond aesthetics, trees have also been shown to reduce stress or improve mental health (Nuccitelli, 2023). I know that when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I love to immerse myself in nature. And when I’m in the city, the occasional greenspace filled with trees helps me slow down and find a sense of calm in the chaos. There’s something grounding about watching the way trees sway on a blustery day, hearing the sounds they make, and noticing the animals they attract. They stand tall and steady, even in a landscape surrounded by steel and glass.
So next time you’re walking through your local urban area, take a moment to really look at the trees. How many are there? How do they change the way the street looks or feels? And what would it be like without them?
Treehouse
Trees serve as homes for a wide range of species, from birds that raise their young in the crook of a branch, to ants that climb their trunks like tiny soldiers, to mites that gnaw at the bark. So many organisms depend on trees for shelter and survival.
As urban spaces expand, however, more and more trees are being cut down. For instance, a 2018 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that the United States loses approximately 36 million trees each year due to urban development (Nowak & Greenfield, 2018). With every tree lost, we also lose the countless organisms that once called it home. It’s the ecological equivalent of wiping out 36 million homes across the country.
This loss affects more than just wildlife, it impacts us too. Biodiversity is essential for maintaining the balance of ecosystems. These systems are made up of deeply interconnected food webs, and even the disappearance of a single species, not matter how small, can set off a chain reaction that disrupts the entire system.
Rooted in Good
Anyone who has experienced a heavy storm or downpour in a city has seen just how quickly streets can flood and water can accumulate, rushing straight down the storm drain. In open fields and natural areas, storm drains aren’t necessary, there’s plenty of surface area for water to soak into the ground like a sponge, nourishing trees and plants alike.
But in urban centers, where there are few to no trees or plants, that water simply runs off and can’t be reabsorbed into the ground as groundwater. Having proper tree coverage in these areas can help minimize flooding, specifically surface runoff, and support the replenishment of groundwater.
Pollution Preventer
The final area I want to cover is the importance of trees as carbon reservoirs. Trees take in carbon dioxide and release water and oxygen in return. In fact, one acre of trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people each day (South Carolina Forestry Commission, n.d.).
Beyond that, trees also trap pollutant particles like dust, ash, and pollen, that can be harmful to human lungs. They remove gaseous pollutants as well, absorbing them through tiny pores in their leaves (South Carolina Forestry Commission, n.d.).
Most importantly, trees help combat the greenhouse effect. This effect occurs when greenhouse gases trap heat from solar radiation in the lower atmosphere, causing the Earth to warm. While greenhouse gases are essential in protecting us from harmful UV rays, when they accumulate in excess, they cause an enhanced greenhouse effect, which is what ultimately leads to harmful climate impacts.
In a world where cities continue to grow and vast green spaces are shrinking due to developmental expansions, trees are more important than ever. They are essential to the health of our ecosystems and the future of our planet. Even in cities, I urge you to reflect on the important role trees play. Whether it’s providing shade on a hot day, offering a home to wildlife, or helping clean the air we breathe, trees play an essential role in making urban environments livable and comfortable. Remember to be a tree hugger. Don’t leaf them hanging!
Sources:
Knox, P. (2022, May 12). How hot does pavement get in summer?. Climate and Agriculture in
the Southeast.
Nowak, D. J., & Greenfield, E. J. (2018). Declining urban and community tree cover in the
United States. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 32, 32–55.
Nuccitelli, D. (2023, March 10). The little-known physical and mental health benefits of urban
trees " Yale climate connections.
South Carolina Forestry Commission. (2022, July 11). Benefits of Urban Trees.
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