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US cities are losing tree coverage at a growing and alarming rate.
Across America, in urban and rural areas, over a recent five-year period, we have lost 36 million trees each year, according to the US Forest Services. Along with natural reasons such as tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, insects, and disease, the main reason for tree loss is development.
If this rate of loss continues, “cities will become warmer, more polluted and generally more unhealthy for inhabitants”, according to David Norwak, a senior US Forest Service scientist. More than 80% of the US population lives in urban areas.
Trees' vital role cannot be overstated, as they provide comfort and improve the living conditions of cities, along with reducing heat, air pollution, and energy emissions. They also improve water quality, reduce noise, and provide protection from UV radiation along with providing wildlife habitat. As reported by Aruni Bhatanagar, a researcher at the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Environment Institute, in addition to reducing heat, trees have many positive health effects including “longer life spans, lower levels of stress, better air quality and lower rates of cardiac disease”.
Tree loss often has greater impacts in poorer urban neighborhoods, home to many of a city’s most disadvantaged, which have fewer trees than the wealthier areas, to begin with. “If we show you a map of tree canopy in virtually any city in America, we’re also showing you a map of income,” says Jad Daley, president, and CEO of the nonprofit America Forests. He added, “And in many cases, we’re showing you a map of race and ethnicity.” With less tree coverage to buffer the summer heat, often these communities experience hotter temperatures, which impacts their health. This is particularly true if they do not have air conditioning.
As the decline continues at an alarming rate, Norwalk provides suggestions such as protecting current growth, noticing when trees may be in trouble, not removing old trees if possible, and allowing trees to grow on private property. Along with planting more trees and taking care of those that currently exist, future designs of cities should take into consideration the importance of trees.
By Skylar Elliot
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