National Arbor Day is important to us here at AprilAire. We’re focused on fresh air and healthy living, and trees are a big part of that for people all over the world. In fact, a study found that residents in urban neighborhoods with more trees reported feeling healthier than those who lived near fewer trees.

Plus, those people had fewer medical conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, and had better mental health.

Thanks, trees!

To celebrate, let’s take a look at National Arbor Day by the numbers, with a focus on the impact of trees on your home environment, the local level, and worldwide.

Facts & Figures of National Arbor Day

Home

260:675

One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. The average person consumes about 675 pounds of oxygen per year. Try to plant enough trees on your property (as space allows, of course) to match the number of people in your home!

12% Savings

If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills could be about 3% less. In 15 years, the savings could be about 12%. The shade from trees helps lower cooling costs in the summer, and  can block winds to reduce heating costs in the winter.

$7,000+

In Portland, Oregon, homes with street trees sold for $7,130 more, on average. That’s a lot of green.

Local

2.6 tons

One acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Think about that the next time you drive past trees or go for a walk in the woods. Breathe in the freshness!

50%

Roadside trees can reduce nearby indoor air pollution by more than 50%. That’s a great way to start creating a Healthy Home.

5% : 30%

The United States accounts for about 5% of the world’s population, and consumes around 30% of the world’s paper. This is a good reminder to stay mindful of the paper products we consume. And whenever you can, rely on reusable goods.

National Arbor Day Goes Global

1/3

Global forests removed about one-third of fossil fuel emissions annually from 1990 to 2007. Along with finding alternative energy sources, trees and their purification abilities are crucial in keeping pollution in check.

3 Cities

See how trees remove air pollution in different types and sizes of cities:
– Los Angeles: 2,000 tons of air pollution removed each year
– Chicago: 18,000 tons of air pollution removed each year
– Greater Kansas City: 26,000 tons of air pollution removed each year

20%

More than 20% of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon Rainforest. That’s part of the reason that groups and countries are passionate about preserving the area from logging and deforestation.

Sources:

• Arbor Day Foundation: https://www.arborday.org/trees/treefacts/
• Growing Air Foundation: http://www.growingairfoundation.org/facts/
• Human Oxygen Requirements: https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/146558main_RecyclingEDA%28final%29%204_10_06.pdf
• One Tree Planted: https://onetreeplanted.org/pages/tree-facts
• Scientific Reports: https://www.nature.com/articles/srep11610