Trees are capable of so much more than just providing shade and cleaning our air. Join host Rose Daily and guest Brian Wahl (Wisconsin DNR) to learn all of the amazing benefits of trees, including how they reduce energy costs, increase anti-cancer proteins in the body, and bring more business to your downtown. This episode also explores how to protect trees during construction projects and small things you can do to help the trees on your property thrive.

Planting trees correctly: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/urbanforests/treeplantingresources

Heat island & trees: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-05/documents/reducing_urban_heat_islands_ch_2.pdf

International Society of Arboriculture: Trees are good.org (learn about tree care and how to find a certified Arborist): https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/publicoutreach/treesaregood/index

Nature’s Riches: The Health and Financial Benefits of Nearby Nature : https://www.naturewithin.info/New/2016.11.Economic_Benefits_of_Nature_in_Cities.KWolf.pdf

Forest Bathing: https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2023/10/03/the-difference-between-hiking-and-forest-bathing/

Timestamps:

(01:49) The urban forest

(03:26) Trees: are they the answer?

(05:23) Wildlife habitat, dust mop, carbon sequestration

(07:58) $80 million in energy savings

(10:31) Trees & the heat island effect

(14:10) Sponge in a rainstorm

(17:17) Health benefits of trees

(18:49) Forest bathing & anti-cancer proteins

(21:42) Birth weight in children

(24:33) Property values & downtown shops

(30:50) Impact of emerald ash borer

(32:06) Replacing a mature tree with sapplings

(37:03) Damaging trees during construction projects

(44:33) Help your trees THRIVE

(58:23) resources & closing thoughts