nature provides solutions. increasing the tree canopy in cities is one way to fight both poor air quality and urban heat islands. research shows significant short-term improvements in air quality in urban areas with 100 percent tree cover. there, trees can reduce hourly ozone by up to 15 percent, sulfur dioxide by 14 percent, and particulate matter by 13 percent.

u.s. trees remove some 784,000 tons of pollution annually, providing $3.8 billion in value. furthermore, a single large healthy tree can remove greater than 300 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year. in fact, new york city’s urban forest alone removes 154,000 tons of co2 annually. through their leaves, trees also provide evaporative cooling, which increases air humidity. shaded surfaces may be 20-45 degrees cooler, and evapotranspiration can reduce peak summer temperatures by 2-9 degrees.