Mature trees reduce energy use in urban areas

TORONTO -- New research that assessed the energy conservation merits of a residential Toronto tree planting program found an average tree conserves 435–483 kWh of electricity over 25 years post planting. Research findings also indicate that densely settled urban neighborhoods should prioritize tree survival over shading potential, as the energy conservation benefits of a mature tree often outweigh the benefits of a strategically planted one.

Researchers adapted the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) Tree Benefits Estimator for application in Toronto, Canada. They then used the tool to model the air conditioning energy conservation savings delivered by 577 trees planted Toronto backyards between 1997 and 2000.

In urban residential urban residential neighborhoods, where houses are closely spaced, the energy conservation benefits of planting a tree depend on species, on pre-existing canopy, and on placement of the tree with respect to distance and orientation from buildings.

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