1. Presented by Paige Thacker: Extension Agent, Horticulture Virginia Cooperative Extension Julia Flanagan: County Arborist, Dept. of Public Works

2. We live in the Eastern Deciduous Forest The natural environment where we live is one dominated by trees.

3. Benefits of Trees Higher Water Quality

4. Benefits of Trees Better Air Quality Forested land can be as much as 7° F cooler than highly urban areas where most of the tree cover has been removed. Cooler air reduces smog, ground level ozone and related health problems like asthma. Trees store CO2 and other pollutants like SO2, Ozone (O3) and NO2 that are more concentrated in developed areas. Trees intercept particulate pollutants.

5. Benefits of Trees – Shade Lower energy costs. Large trees planted strategically on the southeastern and southwestern sides of your home and over air conditioners can reduce cooling costs by 10% -30%

6. Benefits of Trees Higher Property Values For homes valued at $250,00 or more, 98% of Realtors believe the presence of mature trees has a strong to moderate impact on the salability of homes. A well landscaped property can add 10% to 20% more value to a property, especially if it includes mature trees. Developers often charge premiums of $10,000 to over $25,000 for homes on wooded lots or that back to trees.

7. Because we are losing our forest cover to development Population Current (estimated): 417,293 Growth from 1990 – 2000: 30.2% Growth from 2000 – 2010:43.2% Growth from 2010 – Mar 2013:3.8% Acres of Land Permitted for Clearing: 2003: 3500 acres 2004: 4800 acres 2006: ~1200 acres

9. Because Trees – especially Natives - benefit our wildlife neighbors too! A Plug for Using Natives… The plants we maintain around our homes create a local ecology, for better or for worse. Native plants benefit local wildlife populations much moreso than non-natives.

10. © Julia Flanagan

11. Arlington Co. ~1950 Arlington Co. ~2008