Trees Can Help Lower Your Energy Bill and May Raise Property Value

 

Trees Can Help Lower Your Energy Bill and May Raise Property Value

Kermit the Frog would agree that it is “not easy being green” in the world today. However many local governments in Florida are regulating tree protection and encouraging an increase in tree planting activity. Tree canopies, among other things, can provide many benefits such as reduced energy consumption because of lowering ambient air temperature, they provide cleaner air, absorb noise, reduce storm water runoff by filtering heavy metals and other pollutants, as well as reduce erosion. Trees may also increase property value and create an aesthetically pleasing surrounding.¹ Are there any Tree Protection/Planting programs in your area? If not, would you like to see some? Do you think these benefits are worth the potential cons to tree protection mandates? For example, what if tree removal becomes overly regulated?

The City Commission of Wilton Manors in Broward County, FL just adopted a resolution amending the Comprehensive Plan to achieve a 30% increase in tree canopy coverage by the year 2030.² Lauderhill in Broward County, FL is currently considering a similar resolution as well.³

Cutler Bay in Miami-Dade County, FL just adopted an ordinance to regulate safeguarding, maintenance, and removal of trees within the rights-of-way in the Town.⁴ Another trend Local Governments in Florida are following is tree planting programs such as the one recently adopted in Winter Springs in Seminole County, FL.⁵

Here is a list of recent examples from the OrdinanceWatch™ Database:

• Wilton Manors, FL Adopts Resolution Regarding Tree Canopy Coverage
• Winter Springs, FL Unanimously Approves Resolution Regarding the Establishment of a Memorial Tree Planting Program
• Cutler Bay, FL Adopts Ordinance Regarding the Protection of Trees
• Lauderhill, FL Tables Resolution Regarding a Thirty Percent or More Tree Canopy Coverage by 2030
• Gainesville, FL Tables Request to Develop Goals and Objectives for the City’s Comprehensive Plan with respect to Trees
• Sarasota County, FL Adopts Ordinance Affecting Street Tree Protection

^{1. Wilton Manors, FL City Commission Meeting Minutes. (2009). A Resolution Regarding Tree Canopy Coverage. Retrieved April 8, 2009, Web site: http://www.ordinancewatch.com/files/LocalGovernment/LocalGovernment35229.pdf}

^{2. Wilton Manors, FL City Commission Meeting Agendas. (2009). A Resolution Regarding Tree Canopy Coverage. Retrieved March 10, 2009, Web site: http://www.wiltonmanors.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={09547161-FB8E-4436-8239-3729C7C00CE2}}

^{3. Lauderhill, FL City Commission Meeting Agendas. (2009). A Resolution Regarding a Thirty Percent or More Tree Canopy Coverage by 2030. Retrieved March 30, 2009, Web site: http://lauderhill-fl.gov/dept_city.asp}

^{4. Cutler Bay, FL Town Council Meeting Agendas. (2009). An Ordinance Regarding the Protection of Trees. Retrieved February 18, 2009, Web site: http://www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/agenda.php}

^{5. Winter Springs, FL City Commission Meeting Agendas. (2008). A Resolution Regarding the Establishment of a Memorial Tree Planting Program. Retrieved November 24, 2008, Web site: http://weblink.winterspringsfl.org/weblink7/docview.aspx?id=231385}