Scenic Virginia

Trees

Trees are an incredible scenic resource. Trees provide economic, aesthetic, and environmental benefits. They provide habitats for plants and animals and improve the quality of our environment by providing services like reducing noise pollution, providing natural cooling by reducting air temperatures, and removing pollutants from the air.

Urban Tree Canopy

Large oak tree with green leaves
Emancipation Oak by Florence Womacks

Urban tree canopy (UTC) is the layer of leaves, branches, and stems of trees that cover the ground when viewed from above. In urban areas, the UTC provides an important stormwater management function by intercepting rainfall that would otherwise run off of paved surfaces and be transported into local waters though the storm drainage system, picking up various pollutants along the way. UTC also reduces the urban heat island effect, reduces heating/cooling costs, lowers air temperatures, reduces air pollution, increases property values, provides wildlife habitat, and provides aesthetic and community benefits such as improved quality of life.

Source: Center for Watershed Protection

Resources

Trees Virginia, a non-profit whose mission is to enhance the quality of life through the Stewardship of our Commonwealth’s urban and community trees.

Capital Trees, a non-profit devoted to designing, restoring and maintaining green spaces in Richmond.

Casey Trees, a non-profit committed to restoring, enhancing and protecting the tree canopy of Washington, D.C.