The Services Trees Provide

Overview

Portland's trees are essential city infrastructure that provide over $9.5 billion in environmental, economic, health, and social benefits and services to our community.

Portland trees help to:

• reduce summer heat
• strengthen climate resilience
• improve air and water quality
• provide habitat for wildlife
• reduce flooding
• enhance health and well-being.

The research below highlights how urban trees improve daily life in cities, with several studies focusing specifically on Portland's own urban forest. These resources offer both national and local perspectives on why trees matter and how they support healthy, resilient communities.

Benefits of Urban Forests Video 

Environmental Services Trees Provide

• Calculate the Benefits of Your Trees with the USDA Forest Service i-Tree Design Tool
• Arbor Day Foundation article about the value of urban trees
• Plant Emissions: How Do Trees Interact With Pollution? Science Friday, Public Radio International, produced by Alexa Lim, Sept. 26,2014
• Sprouting a Forest in the City Science Friday, Public Radio International, produced by Alexa Lim, Sept. 26,2014

Social and Cultural Services Trees Provide

• The effect of trees on crime in Portland
• Human Dimensions of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening; Projects Director Kathleen L. Wolf, Ph.D.

Health Services Trees Provide

• Yale Climate Connections article about the physical and mental health benefits of urban trees
• Urban Trees and Human Health