What are the 10 benefits of trees?

Trees refresh our homes, streets and cities. Trees can save you money on energy costs. Trees come in all kinds of shapes, colors and sizes. Not only do they make the world a more beautiful place, but they also provide shade, shelter and serenity.

While their benefits are endless, we've compiled a list of the top 10 benefits of trees. An estimated 50 million well-placed shade trees have the potential to eliminate the need for seven 100-megawatt power plants. If a tree absorbs 1 ton of carbon over its lifespan, it's like erasing 11,000 miles of emissions from a car. One acre of trees has the capacity to remove up to 5 tons of carbon dioxide and up to 13 tons of other particles and gases per year.

A single tree can absorb up to 1 ton of carbon over a 40-year lifespan. A mature tree has the same cooling power as 15 room-sized air conditioners. Carefully placed trees can save 25 to 30 percent of energy consumption. Deciduous trees are the most beneficial for saving energy, providing shade in the warmer months and letting in sunlight in the colder months.

One hundred mature trees can capture up to 100,000 gallons of rain a year, reducing runoff and filtering water. According to North Carolina State University, a well-placed tree can also block noise by up to 40 percent. Tree planting benefits these areas by transforming them into oases, making them more livable and productive. Planting a tree not only benefits those who live locally around it, but also the entire population, for example, by removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Trees have countless benefits for the entire planet, from marine animals to the countless people who work around the world. Trees not only provide environmental benefits, but they are also the key to healthy and productive communities. If you're thinking about planting, read below to learn about the many benefits trees have for the environment. It's easy to assume that planting a tree today will only benefit generations to come, but it's clear that trees have an immediate and profound impact from the moment they're planted.