Trees and Urban Pollution

- Leaves filter particulate pollution.

- Trees help absorb carbon dioxide.

- The crown of trees stops an abundance of rain water from reaching drainage systems, which could clog older systems and cause flooding.

- Trees shade blacktopped areas. When asphalt reflects the sun’s heat, it creates “heat islands”, causing an increase in urban temperature.

- Cities east of the Mississippi River require 40 percent tree coverage.

- Cities west of the Mississippi River require 25 percent tree coverage.

- Washington, DC has lost half of its tree cover.

- Cities in Michigan, N. Carolina and Florida have loss 27 percent of their tree cover.

- A large tree removes 60 to 70 times more particulate matter from the air than a small tree.

- 2,000 cities have launched long-term planting programs.

- Los Angeles plans to plant 1 million trees within the next 30 years.

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air pollution
particle pollution
environment