Water Blog

An average of 250 trees a year are removed from Greeley’s residential neighborhoods. For the most part, these trees are removed by private contractors due to age, insects, diseases, environmental events, and lack of proper care. In one generation, that amounts to more than 6,000 trees removed, and unfortunately, in Greeley, few get replanted. 

To promote and increase tree-planting efforts in Greeley neighborhoods, city officials implemented a residential planting program called Share the Shade. This program helps Greeley residents purchase and plant trees on their property with an annual goal of planting 100 trees a year throughout the community. Get more information and to apply for the program at greeleygov.com/forestry. 

Here are nine benefits of trees in the community &  your home:

1. Landscaping, including trees increases property values by 5 to 20 percent.
2. Trees frame views and help to create attractive entryways, streetscapes, and corridors.
3. Large, healthy trees produce better air quality. Trees release oxygen into the air we breathe. Leaves on trees absorb gaseous pollutants.
4. Trees can lower your winter heating bill. Plant trees on the north and west of buildings to reduce cold winter winds and heating demand.
5. Trees can lower summer cooling bills. Trees planted on south, east and west of buildings provide shade and evapotranspiration that can reduce summer air temperatures by 10 degrees reducing the need for air conditioning. It is estimated that trees can save up to 160 dollars on cooling costs, each year.
6. Landscaping and trees improve soil fertility by extracting carbon from the atmosphere and transferring it to the soil creating topsoil, cycling nutrients, opening root holes, loosening soil, increasing infiltration rates, and pulling nutrients trapped deep in the soil profile to the rooting zone.
7. Trees prevent rainwater runoff by intercepting water on foliage.
8. Trees can mask concrete walls or parking lots, unsightly views, and your neighbors. They muffle sound from nearby streets and freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of green.
9. Shade from trees slows water evaporation from dry lawns. Most newly planted trees need only fifteen gallons of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase atmospheric moisture.