District of Sechelt Urban Forest Plan

District of Sechelt Urban Forest Plan 2010
Benefits of Urban Forests
Human Health Benefits
Treed landscapes:
a. Enhance psychological well-being. Studies show that desk workers who can see natural
areas report greater job satisfaction and have 23% fewer sick days. Hospital patients
recover more quickly when their room offers a view of trees. (Kuo 2003; Kaplan & Kaplan
1989 in Wolf. K.L. 1998; Ulrich 1985 in Wolf. K.L. 1998).
b. Improve air quality by filtering out dust, airborne pollutants (such as sulphur dioxide),
and particulates (such as pollen and mold spores). A mature tree absorbs 54–110 kg of
small particles and gases of air pollution each year. In addition they provide oxygen to
breathe. A single mature tree can provide enough oxygen for two people for a year (UBCM
2008; Wolf, K.L. 1998).
c. Improve water quality. Tree roots take up potentially harmful chemicals such as nitrates,
phosphorus and cadmium that would otherwise enter groundwater and streams (UBCM
2008).
d. Supports walk able neighbourhoods, and active transportation. Urban forests—
including street trees and parks—encourage people to get out of their cars and walk or
bike (UBCM 2008).
e. Act as sound barriers, reducing noise from highways, local industry, and neighbours (ISA
2005).
f. Moderate climate by dampening the effects of the sun, wind, rain, and pollution (UBCM
2008; MOE 2006; Bell and Wheeler 2006).
i. Sun: Leaves absorb and deflect sunlight- providing shade and cooling. The larger the
tree the greater the cooling effect.
ii. Wind: Trees can change the speed and direction of winds helping to protect homes,
animals, and crops.
iii. Rain: Trees reduce storm water runoff and prevent flooding by intercepting, and
storing water. Dew and Frost are less common under trees.
iv. Pollution: Shade trees reduce temperatures, slowing the formation of ground-level
ozone (smog).
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