Most people don't associate major cities with forests. But the Phoenix city parks and street landscapes are the home of a veritable forest in the city that adds millions of dollars worth of benefits to our quality of life. We recently completed a complete inventory of the trees in city parks and along city streets and have outlined details below.
Benefits of Trees
Trees . . . provide shade, beautify our surroundings, absorb carbon dioxide, supply oxygen, help the environment, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, give wildlife a home, increase property values, decrease energy use, lessen noise pollution, lower air temperatures, add character to neighborhoods, save cost of utilities, reduce storm water run-off, and give us a sense of peace and tranquility.
Further Information
Arizona Community Tree Council, President, Louisa Ballard, PMB 159, 3851 E. Thunderbird Rd. #111 , Phoenix, AZ 85032; (602) 354-3023; www.aztrees.org
Arizona State Forestry Division, State Forester, Vicki Christiansen, 1110 West Washington Street, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602)771-1400; www.azsf.az.gov
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix, AZ 85040; (602) 470-8086; ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/
The National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, www.arborday.org
Treetures, 1 (800) 863-7175, www.treetures.com
National Tree Trust, 1120 G Street, NW, Suite 770, Washington, D.C. 20005, 1 (800) 846-8733
International Society of Arboriculture, P.O. Box 3129, Champaign, IL 61826-3129, www.isa-arbor.com
Phoenix Urban Forestry
(602) 495-3762
E-mail inquiries to: richard.adkins@phoenix.gov
