The value of trees

A study published by Arborist News calculated and reported the economic value of good tree cover. The takeaway is this - increased tree cover equals increased values.

The study showed:

• 7% increase to property value in residential areas
• 18% increase to property value in commercial lots
• 9-12% increase in retail spending 
• 7% higher rent in office properties

This data is interesting because many homeowners and shop owners in San Angelo have trees of their own, and many of those trees are decades old, just beaming positivity into our economic atmosphere. Whether a San Angelo property's trees are pecan, oak, mesquite, ash, or from a less-common local family, it stands to reason that the trees are currently older than when the property was purchased and so the property's value has gone up. In this way growing a tree is like growing a bank account, slowly but surely. This is why it is important to treat our trees well; they make San Angelo's value go up.

The positive results have been time tested, and we've all witnessed the effects big, beautiful trees have on specific locations. A nice neighborhood becomes a scene from a storybook. A parking lot becomes a haven (mind the birds). We wouldn't want to lose our shade. Clear cutting is like hitting restart, losing years of savings.

It is vital to take care of the trees we have, to adjust our plans to allow the present trees time and space to grow, but it is also important to think about the future and start the next generation, insuring that there isn't a long interval between today's canopy and tomorrow's. Whether it is Goen Tree Care or another tree service, we urge you to care for your trees.

I invite you to share how a tree has improved your experience, whether it is your own or at a park, on a ranch, or wherever it may be.