The heat island effect is becoming an increasingly urgent issue in urban areas each year. As cities around the world face higher temperatures and increasing energy demand, trees offer a powerful solution. Various studies show that trees are not only essential for ecological diversity and urban well-being, but also play a significant role in energy savings.
Trees Lower the Ambient Temperature
One of the most direct benefits of trees in urban environments is their ability to lower the ambient temperature. Trees provide shade, resulting in a lower surface temperature of roads and buildings. The study “The role of urban trees in reducing land surface temperatures in European cities” concludes that urban trees have a significant impact on lowering temperatures in cities. The researchers studied the influence of urban trees on lowering urban temperature, taking into account both geographical differences (spatial variations) and changes over time (temporal variations). They discovered that places with many trees can be up to 8-12 °C cooler during hot summers in Central Europe than places without trees. In Southern Europe, this temperature difference is 0-4 °C. These results emphasize the importance of urban trees as a natural solution to reduce the urban heat island effect. (Nature Communications, 2021)
Figure 1:
Regional variation in temperature differences (∆T) during extreme heat between areas that are 100% covered with urban trees (UT) and areas that are 100% covered with contiguous urban fabric (UF). Source: Nature Communications.
Trees as Windbreakers
In addition to their cooling effect in the summer, trees also act as windbreakers in the winter. By providing wind shielding, they can reduce energy costs for heating. Well-placed trees around buildings can weaken cold air flows, leading to a more efficient heating season. This not only helps in reducing energy consumption but also contributes to the comfort of city residents.
Saving Energy Through Trees
Research in the United States on the effect of trees on the energy use of homes in urban areas has revealed that trees yield significant annual savings. They reduce the energy consumption of homes by an average of 7.2 percent, equivalent to a national saving of $7.8 billion per year. Reduced energy use also leads to lower emissions of pollutants by power plants, which yields an additional $3.9 billion per year. (U.S. Forest Service, 2022)
Trees for Future-Proof Cities
Trees are much more than an aesthetic addition to the urban landscape. They not only cool and improve air quality but also promote biodiversity, regulate urban water flow, contribute to a healthier lifestyle, reduce noise pollution, and even increase property value. They are powerful allies in reducing the heat island effect and the challenge of making cities climate-adaptive. Integrating trees into the urban planning and design phase is essential for creating future-proof, livable, and energy-efficient urban environments. By consciously investing in green infrastructure, cities can realize significant savings on energy costs, resulting in lower expenditures and a smaller ecological footprint.
Support in the Greening Process
At GreenMax, we have been combining green and infrastructure for over 25 years to create a future-proof, green public space. We do this with innovative, circular solutions that give trees a place between concrete, paving, and buildings, while keeping the surrounding infrastructure intact. In practice, we often see that trees do not get the right tools to grow old healthily in the urban environment. Therefore, we are happy to help you with the greening process. Request a non-binding consultation and discover together with our experts the possibilities for greening your environment.