Metropolitan areas with adequate tree cover are much better places to live and having more trees in the yard and along the streets pays big dividends. Trees in urban areas function like the public utilities reducing stormwater runoffs, improving air quality, and reducing energy consumption.

Trees reduce stormwater and save us money. As communities grow, trees are removed to make way for impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roads and buildings. Our studies show that impervious surfaces have increased by 20% over the past 2 decades in urban areas. Constructed stormwater facilities are created to compensate for the tree loss. These facilities are expensive to build and maintain. The cost has been calculated to be in excess of $100 billion nationally.

So, what can we do? Design with nature. Increase the tree cover and reverse the national tree deficit. It is a philosophy that pays rather than costs.

To learn more about how trees affect stormwater see:

• TREES: The oldest New Thing in Stormwater Treatment by Stormwater Journal.
• TREES: Help Cities Meet Clean Water Regulations by American Forests
• CITYgreen Manual Stormwater Section by American Forests

Stormwater Phase II Action Alert

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