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The Hidden Cooling System: Trees Cool the Streets and the City

The Hidden Cooling System: Trees Cool the Streets and the City

by | Jul 2, 2026 | Blog

The Urban Heat Island effect is a very well-known consequence of a city’s architecture. Black pavement, buildings, and other structures absorb sunlight and emit it back into the atmosphere, heating the city much more than a forested area. This is a very dramatic effect, creating a difference of 1-7℉ between cities and rural area temperatures. Do you ever feel the heat radiating off the pavement in a parking lot? Suddenly the weather doesn’t seem very bearable anymore. This effect occurs throughout cities as they are highly paved, leaving little room for nature. This can create issues for city dwellers who suffer from asthma or other respiratory illnesses, and causes an increase in heat-related illnesses in urban areas. As cities continue to experience elevated temperatures, city planners and landscape architects have turned to trees and green spaces as a method of reducing the impacts of the urban heat island effect.

But why trees? Trees provide shade, which, in urban areas, prevents sunlight from being absorbed by pavement. In addition, trees complete a process called evapotranspiration, which is when trees absorb water from the ground and then evaporate this water through their leaves. The atmospheric cooling is a byproduct of this process, as the trees use warm air from the atmosphere to evaporate water, creating a cooling effect around them.

A study used models to adjust the tree cover across 93 European cities and found that increasing the tree cover to 30% could eliminate 2,644 out of 6,700 premature heat-related deaths in these 93 cities. In a world where the climate becomes a more present threat, it is even more important to do everything we can to regulate temperatures in urban areas, even if the difference seems small. An Environmental Health Perspectives article found that with each 1℉ increase in temperature during a heat wave, mortality risk rates increase by 2.49%. During a heat wave, 1℉ may not seem like a lot, but it does make a significant difference, even the difference between life and death for some. Having trees present in urban areas can reduce the intensity of heat waves, decreasing the mortality risk rates during these events.

At Global Health and Education Projects, Inc., we understand the importance of living in an urban or suburban area where you can feel comfortable, safe, and healthy. Utilizing the immense benefits of trees will allow your neighborhood and your family to thrive. Want to get your free trees, check out our Family Tree Adoption Program.

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How Do Trees Conserve Energy?

How Do Trees Conserve Energy?

by | Jun 29, 2026 | Blog

Trees, especially in forests, are known for their ability to sequester carbon, acting as carbon sinks for the surrounding environment. While this is a common feature of forests, it is often expected that single trees would not be able to make an impact as significant as that of a forest. And while this assumption would be correct in the fact that one tree cannot do what an entire forest can, it is untrue when it comes to the impact per tree.

While a single tree in an urban area sequesters 4.5-11 kg of carbon, the same amount as a tree in a forest, it is responsible for avoiding the combustion of 18 kg of carbon annually. This discrepancy is due to the reduction in energy use that urban trees create by providing shade for buildings in the area, reducing their need for cooling. This makes the impact of one tree in an urban area equivalent to the impact of 3-5 trees in a forest.

When planting trees in your yard, there are many factors to consider. Do I want my tree to have fruit? Should it be deciduous or evergreen? Where should I plant my tree? This question is especially important as it could save a percentage of money allotted to paying for energy.

Depending on the shade provided by the tree and other factors affecting the area, each tree can provide up to $200 in energy savings over its lifetime. Maryland is a temperate region, which means that the tree must be placed to allow for the maximization of the sun to warm the house in the winter, provide shade in the summer, deflect winter winds away from the house, and bring summer breezes towards the home. Accounting for these conditions can reduce 25% of the energy used in your home.

In addition to saving money on utility bills, increasing the tree canopy in your neighborhoods can have significant reductions in carbon emissions at power plants, as less energy will be needed to keep homes cool. A study conducted in Sacramento, California, created a model where four trees would be planted in each yard. The model found that there would be a reduction of 60 kilotons of carbon emissions as a result of decreased energy consumption.

GHEP’s Family Tree Adoption Program (FTAP) allows Prince George’s County residents to select up to three free trees for their home. By participating in the FTAP, you can save money on energy bills and play a part in reducing Prince George’s County emissions! And that is a double take. The trees not only beautify; they also add to your pocket.

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Beyond Beautification: Trees Reduce Violence

Beyond Beautification: Trees Reduce Violence

by | Jun 25, 2026 | Blog

In neighborhoods, trees are responsible for providing shade, a place for kids to play, beautiful scenery, and the increased presence of wildlife. The benefits seem to be endless. Over time, many have tried to correlate the presence of trees in a neighborhood with an increase in crime. They would blame the lack of visibility that trees create, giving criminals a window to act. However, the opposite has proven to be true.

The presence of trees in a community has been associated with a reduction in crime and violence. One influential study that has validated this claim was conducted in Baltimore, Maryland. In collaboration with the National Forest Service, the University of Vermont compared neighborhoods throughout Baltimore based on their tree coverage. To control for external variables, the neighborhoods compared had similar levels of income, housing age, race, housing type, population density, and additional factors. By controlling these factors, the study confidently concluded that in Baltimore neighborhoods where the tree canopy was 10% higher compared to other Baltimore neighborhoods, occurrences of violent crime were 12% lower.

Trees are not the cause of lower crime, but the results of this study create an association between the amount of trees in an area and the levels of crime in that area.

So, while trees will not offer the same deterrent that a video-camera doorbell or a ‘secured by ADT’ sign provides, trees may play a role in reducing neighborhood crime while improving your physical and mental health, and many other aspects of your life.

Similarly, a 2017 study conducted in Philadelphia, PA, asked men to retrace the paths they had walked before becoming a victim of gun violence. Using map layers, researchers placed a map with tree locations on top of the victims’ paths. Controlling for the time of day, researchers found that being under tree cover resulted in lower incidences of gun violence. Again, this is an association, similar to the last study, though it is important to note that

While these associations do not prove causation, it is important to note that trees seem to produce endless benefits. Planting trees in hopes of reducing crime could result in a source of food, a place for kids to play or read a book, or a new spot to birdwatch! The positives outweigh any negatives in this situation!

At GHEP, we are dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health and human development in order to eliminate disparities in health and education, one of which is safe neighborhoods and affordable housing. By investing in trees for your neighborhood and your communities, you know that you are not only beautifying your neighborhood, but you are doing your part in making your home safe! Do not wait; free trees are available through the Family Tree Adoption Program, which can be accessed at https://globalhealthprojects.org/tree-reservation/

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You Just Planted a Tree: How to Ensure it Thrives!

You Just Planted a Tree: How to Ensure it Thrives!

by | Jun 23, 2026 | Blog

Trees are often seen as very self-sufficient and low-maintenance. This is, for the most part, true; however, newly planted trees often require some care to ensure that they get properly adjusted to their new environment and grow healthily. Studies have shown that the years of a tree’s establishment, which describes the first five years of the tree’s life, are accompanied by the highest mortality rates. Following these steps will reduce the chances of mortality, ensuring that you have a healthy, happy tree!

Water your tree!

While adult trees do not need to be consistently watered, young trees need to be given a consistent supply of water. Young trees should be watered every day for 2 weeks after planting. To water your tree, use a garden hose or a pitcher to water the soil around the tree, careful to avoid wetting the trunk, as this could promote fungus growth. While daily watering is recommended, if the ground around your tree is already moist, do not water it. Following the initial daily watering for 2 weeks, water your tree 2-3 times a week, and eventually once a week.

Protect your tree from wildlife.

If you notice damage on your tree similar to the image on the left, it is likely that rabbits or squirrels are likely using your tree bark as a snack. This is extremely harmful to the young tree, as it can stop sap from properly circulating the tree and expose the trunk to fungus, sometimes resulting in the death of the tree. To prevent this, consider purchasing a mesh tree guard to keep small animals away until your tree has grown thick enough bark to defend itself.

 

Should I prune my new tree?

You do not want to prune your new tree immediately. If the tree has damaged branches or intersecting branches, feel free to prune those. However, refrain from any cosmetic pruning as you do not want to slow tree growth or root development during its formative years. The establishment years of your tree should consist of nurturing your tree and providing the water and resources it needs to grow. Once your tree begins to grow and mature, cosmetic pruning will be more appropriate.

Look out for the spotted lanternfly! The spotted lanternfly, as shown to the left, is an invasive species that has been prevalent on the east coast for the past couple of years. While the spotted lanternflies are not known for killing trees, they can cause some damage. While feeding on a tree’s sap, spotted lanternflies discharge a sugary substance onto the tree that can cause mold to grow. This is not a significant concern if there are a few lanternflies and does not warrant pesticide use, but keep an eye out for lanternflies around your tree.

As you care for your new tree, we hope you see beautiful growth and integration into your yard! If you have any questions or concerns regarding the health of your tree, please reach out to us at [email protected]

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? Tree Care and Management for Urban Residents

? Tree Care and Management for Urban Residents

by | Oct 24, 2021

Join us as GHEP through our Family Tree Adoption Program (FTAP) hosts a free Community Conversation on Trees and Neighborhood online Zoom event.

When: Nov 20, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Title: Tree Care and Management For Urban Residents with Arborist Nick Maletta and Dr. Romey Azuine

Tips & Tricks will cover:

  • Why Trees
  • Caring for your trees
  • Sources of free trees
  • All questions answered

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEufu2opjstG9yvQsEXUGcKDmbTdG2IDn_Q

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.