Trees are very, very good for our health. But in many cities, they’re struggling

It’s a huge paradox.

More and more research has been pouring forth lately demonstrating just how valuable trees in urban areas are to human health and well-being. A new study by U.S. Forest Service and University of California at Davis researchers underscores the point. They find that California’s 9.1 million urban street trees are worth $1 billion in benefits per year to humans, in ways ranging from providing shade and pulling pollution out of the air, to retaining storm water and driving up real estate values.

“Given an average annual per-tree management cost of $19.00, $5.82 in benefit is returned for every $1 spent,” the study concluded. It was published this week in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening....

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Ken Notes: We should have more plant a tree programs in communities...