Megan (MJ) Fleming
Trees Bring Good Energy to Our Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods need trees. In my first fall serving at Trees Forever in Des Moines, I was able to connect to the Des Moines community through planting trees around the city. Trees Forever organizes multiple tree plantings a week. Our forester works with the City of Des Moines forestry department to determine where trees are needed in Des Moines. Most of the time our efforts and trees go to neighborhoods that have little to no canopy cover.
Low canopy cover can occur for various reasons. A pest could wipe out an entire street if the trees are the same species. For example, one planting we did occurred in a neighborhood that had entire streets of trees wiped out from Emerald Ash Borer. Here many of the people who I spoke with mentioned how great the large ash trees were and how much they missed the trees. The neighborhood residents were also excited to have new trees put in, even if they won’t be around to see the trees in their fully grown glory. Another reason for low canopy cover is some neighborhoods never received resources to replant trees lost during development or extreme weather events. At the first tree planting I ever was a part of, a young father drove past and told us how excited he and his daughter were for the new trees. He thanked us for “bringing good energy” to the neighborhood.
As a tree lover, it is easy for me to focus on the anti-tree neighborhood residents I have encountered. Sometimes when interacting with residents of neighborhoods receiving trees, there are people who despise the idea of trees being planted. The anti-tree stance is hard to wrap my head around when, to me, it is very clear the great ways trees benefit neighborhoods. Most of the time the dislike for trees comes from the lack of enjoyment someone has raking leaves or the fear of the tree falling on their home. It seems easy for people against trees to communicate why they dislike them. Not enjoying raking leaves is an easier idea to understand than loving trees because of their good energy. I have found when I talk to tree lovers, they never quite know how to articulate why trees are important to them. Trees bringing good energy to a neighborhood is a perfect reason to be excited about trees. However, it is important to articulate some less abstract impacts a healthy tree canopy provides to a neighborhood and its residents.
A healthy tree canopy in a neighborhood creates safer living. The presence of vegetation and trees on the street reduces crime. Studies have been done comparing crime rates of vegetated streets and non-vegetated streets. Buildings with greener surroundings experience fewer crimes than buildings without surrounding vegetation. Residents are more likely to spend time outdoors on walks, be in their yards, and leave their windows open in areas with trees. When people get outside the perceived surveillance in an area is higher. Potential criminals subconsciously perceive the increased surveillance level in greener areas, so they are less likely to commit crimes in greener neighborhoods due to the higher risk of being caught. Neighborhoods with a healthy tree canopy also see a crime reduction from a decrease in mental fatigue in residents. Mental fatigue is a precursor to violence and illogical decision making. A decrease in mental fatigue from green surroundings lowers the risk of potential crime.
Trees in neighborhoods create safe streets. Drivers on tree-lined streets are less likely to speed. The presence of trees gives the illusion of a narrower road causing drivers to slow down. Trees reduce the likelihood of road rage from drivers as well. The presence of greenery decreases stress levels and mental fatigue in drivers. Safe streets create spaces where residents are less stressed when walking on sidewalks, crossing the road, or when children are playing outside. Being able to trust drivers allows residents to experience less stress in their day-to-day lives.
In addition to neighborhood benefits, the urban canopy positively contributes to the physical and mental well-being of residents. Individual health risks are reduced with a healthy urban canopy. Trees act like a filter for our air. The presence of trees increases the air quality of an area. People experience a reduction in respiratory health issues, like asthma, in neighborhoods with trees present. Trees provide shade for neighborhoods and parks, reducing air temperatures. At-risk populations such as the elderly and young children are less susceptible to heat-related health problems living in an area with a healthy urban canopy. Lower cases of health issues mean community members spend less on health costs related to respiratory and heat-related medical issues. Mental well-being is increased with the presence of trees. Many short-term studies have been conducted on stress levels in people surrounded by trees. Trees and greenery greatly reduce stress over a short period of time. Not many continual studies exploring the long-term impacts of trees on mental health have been done. However, if the short-term studies show a quick reduction in stress from the presence of trees, imagine the positive mental health impacts of constant long-term exposure to trees.
It is important for tree lovers who appreciate trees for their good energy to communicate why trees bring good energy. Understanding all trees do for the neighborhood gives people reason to care for the resident trees. One day when going out and replacing a dead tree with a new tree, a woman came out of her apartment building to say she tried to save the tree before it died. She understood the good energy trees brought to her street, so she gave some good energy back. The woman explained she would come outside every day to encourage the trees to grow strong and thank them for all they gave. We can all take a page out of this woman’s book to spread tree-love more often. Get outside and appreciate the trees on your street, tell your favorite tree how you are thankful for the good energy it provides, and share some reasons why trees make your neighborhood a better place with a neighbor who is grumbling over raking leaves.
About The Author
Megan (MJ) Fleming is serving an 11-month term with Trees Forever in Des Moines, IA. Trees Forever is dedicated to building and caring for the local tree canopy. MJ’s favorite part of her service term is talking with Des Moines locals about why trees are important to them.
MJ enjoys learning about the place where people meet nature. In her free time, MJ enjoys getting outside by running and exploring the many parks in Polk County. She also enjoys reading, trivia nights, and playing board games.