Effective foresight and design of the exterior landscape of a building can have many positive effects, not only for the environment, but for the building and its occupants, as well. There are many benefits that trees can provide to building developers and building managers. Strategic design and installation along with effective management and maintenance programs can help provide these benefits throughout the life of the building.

There are many products that are bought and then immediately depreciate as soon as they come off the shelf or drive out of the lot. Trees are not one of these products; trees actually appreciate in value over time. There are three main categories that can classify the benefits properly maintained trees can provide over time: environmental, economic and social.

Some of the most significant environmental benefits that directly impact building owners would be reduction of energy use and storm water management. These two issues are constant concerns for building owners and managers. Effective tree care programs can aid in having quality trees to assist in managing these issues. Properly maintained and strategic placement of trees can actually reduce energy use of buildings. Trees modify climate and reduce building energy use in three ways: shading, evapotranspiration, and wind breaks. It is estimated that strategically placed and properly maintained trees can reduce air conditioning use by 30 percent. Storm water management is a continual issue for building owners. Take for example a 12-inch dbh (diameter at breast height) Sugar Maple in good condition; this tree can intercept 919 gallons of storm water per year. In addition to reducing storm water runoff, trees also filter the runoff water, removing pollutants and nutrients that can be harmful to water ecology and quality.

In addition to the numerous environmental benefits trees provide, they also provide social and economic benefits to buildings and communities. Many of the social benefits can be attributed to a term coined by a Harvard Biologist, Dr. Ed Wilson (1984): biophilia. Biophilia means the natural human affinity for nature. Many studies have shown that trees or plants in general can reduce stress in the workplace, improve productivity, and inspire creativity.

The social benefits derived from biophilia include workplace productivity, higher occupancy rates, increased consumer spending, and a reduction in crime. Businesses leasing office space in wooded developments have found their workers to be more productive and have reduction absenteeism. Apartments and offices tend to rent at higher rates in wooded areas compared to non-wooded areas. A well-landscaped development with trees have shown tendencies of consumers to linger longer and be more content, thus likely to spend more at the local businesses. Properly maintained trees also provides a perception of higher value to an area, and in many cases directly correlates with less crime in that development or area.

The list of benefits can go longer than this article will allow, yet many of the benefits mentioned above play off of each other and often benefit in more than just one aspect. Proper maintenance and effective tree care programs are essential in achieving the above benefits and many more. A proactive tree care approach is essential for increasing the longevity of your trees and the numerous benefits that they provide.

To contact Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc., you may reach member representative Seth Balvanz at (630) 293-5444 or sbalvanz@kramertree.com.