Macon Magazine

8 8 MACONMAGAZINE.COM | D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 Money does grow on trees TREES CAN HELP raise property values and lower utility costs. What's even more fascinating is that they can even increase revenue for local businesses. According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, strategically planted trees can reduce summer cooling costs by as much as 30 percent and winter heating costs by more than 20 percent. The Arbor Day Foundation says that proper tree placement can slash wind speeds from anywhere to 35 mph to 10 mph, and thus decrease the amount of damage that high winds can cause to a home. Properties with trees are generally preferred to comparable properties without trees, with the average across studies being a price increase of about 7 percent. Furthermore, trees that are mature and located in high-income neighborhoods can increase prices by as much as 15 percent. The maintenance and establishment of healthy trees can improve business profitability. A study published in the Journal of Forestry shows that people will travel farther, stay longer and spend more money in retail and commercial venues if the streets are more "green." HEALTHY TREES IMPACT QUALITY OF LIFE Have you thought about how something as simple as a tree could make your life better? You will be amazed by how trees enhance our daily lives. More than just adding beauty to the landscape, they actually impact us on four different levels: economical, psychological, environmental and aesthetical. Natural seings heal us TREES BOOST IMMUNITY, lower blood pressure and help fight disease. An article published in Science Magazine called "View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery," explains that something as simple as a window view of nature can decrease stress and the time patients spend in hospitals. Patients whose rooms faced a brick wall, instead of facing a garden or area with trees, stayed in the hospital longer, experienced more post-surgical complications and required more pain medication. Mother Nature's air conditioners LARGE STANDS OF TREES and green spaces can reduce heat within cities and help regulate air flow. It is noted that every 10 percent increase in overall urban tree canopy can create a two- degree reduction in heat within the surrounding area. Georgians experienced a very, very long summer this year, with record heat running all the way up to early October. Just imagine the higher temperatures we would have experienced if we didn't have as many trees to cool us.

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