Trees are an extremely important component of urban environments. For individual properties, trees provide shading and cooling during warm weather, slowing of cold winter winds, screening of unsightly views and separation for inconsistent land uses. It is no wonder that trees increase property values. On a larger scale, trees function as a valuable component of urban ecosystems by absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants, while at the same time generating life-giving oxygen. Trees help to temper and moderate an entire community's climate. They serve to protect its streams and watersheds. Trees also have less quantifiable but very real psychological, social and aesthetic benefits. Who would want to live where there are no trees?

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