Houston's Regional Forest - Businesses & Developers

Houston's Regional Forest
The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Urban Trees

Houston's Regional Forest Report

Benefits of Trees

Business & Developers

Households

Community Leaders

Environmental Community

Tree Information For...

Urban Forestry Summit 2006

Tree/SIP Discussion

Carbon Sequestration Workshop

Events

Businesses & Developers
Businesses and developers can take advantage of the benefits provided by trees. Trees can be preserved, protected, and/or planted around new and existing developments to add to the character and aesthetics of the site while also gaining other benefits from the proper placement of trees.

Trees in the Land Development Process

Landscaping

Landscaping with trees can provide several benefits to home owners and commercial properties. The resources listed below highlight how trees can be used to help reduce energy use.

For energy efficiency - Trees can make developments more energy efficient through shading during the summer, serving as a windbreak during the winter, and if it's a deciduous tree, allowing for more direct sunlight during winter.

William C. Welch, Extension Landscape Horticulturist, Texas Agricultural Extension Service - Includes a list of trees that serve as good windbreaks among other information about trees and energy conservation.
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Topics (see Landscaping for Energy Efficiency and Urban Heat Islands) - Provides links to a variety of resources with information on these topics.

Tree Selection - Selecting the right tree to meet your energy saving goals is important.

National Arbor Day Foundation, Tree Guide - Provides a searchable database of trees with information on their growth characteristics and biological requirements.
Trees for Houston, Street Tree List - Lists street trees with information on height, spread, and growth rate.
Texas A&M Cooperative Extension, Landscape Design, Construction, and Plant Selection - Contains a range of information on planting trees, protecting existing trees, and a searchable data base for native trees and other plants.

Protecting trees during development projects

It is important to evaluate the benefits of protecting trees during the development process.

How to Preserve Trees during Development

Recognition Programs

National Arbor Day's "Building with Trees" recognition program - Awards plans/designs and construction projects that protect trees and has information about conferences/workshops and building tips.

Green Building

Green building provides home buyers with the option to purchase more efficient homes and reduces a home's impact on the environment. Site design, including the placement or preservation of trees, is an important aspect of green building.

Green Building Programs in Texas

Greater Houston Home Builders Association's Green Building Initiative - The Green Building Initiative has guidelines to protect trees during site development and to improve a household's energy performance.
City of Frisco (north of Dallas) - Their residential green building program is mandatory and the minimum requirement is compliance with EPA's Energy Star program.
City of Austin

Other Programs that Provide Green Building Information

Cultivate Green - The Cultivate Green website has information on building green within the region.
Cool Houston - Information about how to build with cool roofs, cool paving, and trees and vegetation to help reduce the urban heat island effect.

Fulfill Community Outreach Efforts through Tree Plantings

Many businesses now have community outreach programs. One way to give back to a community is to coordinate employees for tree plantings or donate to a local tree organization. There are several local tree planting organizations to partner with to meet your company's goals and objectives.

Some Local Tree Planting Organizations

School districts - Partnering with schools for tree plantings to help students learn about the benefits and the ecology of trees.

Lists all school districts for the following counties: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller - Local governments can serve as a venue for reaching out to citizens interested in tree planting.

Communities - Reach out to specific communities in your area.

Under Regional & Community Resources - has links to Texas cities and counties

Economic Benefits of Trees

Studies have shown that trees can have a positive effect on retail, property values, and consumer behavior.

Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington publications - The MRSC website hosts information and factsheets on the economic benefits of trees.

Trees and Air Quality

Efforts are underway to include trees as part of the State Implementation Plan, which would allow for individuals or businesses to receive credits for offsetting their emissions.

"Building the Case for Urban Tree Canopy Cover Inclusion in State Implementation Plans (SIPs)"

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