shade structures—significantly lowering surface
temperatures—while trees away from a home still
provide a benefit in terms of reducing the over-
all Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. GGCP goals are
to plant five trees per acre, which will decrease
summer air temperatures in city neighborhoods
through shading and increased transpiration.
Additionally, in the winter months, mature tree
trunks and branches help to randomize wind pat-
terns, thus decreasing the heat loss that occurs
by air infiltration into poorly insulated homes.
In high-density urban neighborhoods, planting an
average of five trees per acre will provide bene-
fits to 15-25 households, depending on building
density. Most trees are planted in yards where
they grow with the care provided by residents.
Planting this number of trees will increase can-
opy by an estimated 1% in eight years, and 10%
in thirty years. Return on investment is realized as
soon as fifteen years, after which additional energy
savings are realized for the life of the trees.
Nuts and Bolts
Local grassroots partners and DCR staff reach out
to local residents through a variety of methods,
including direct mailings and door-to-door can-
vassing. Even renters can participate in the pro-
gram, as long as they get written approval from
Tree crew plants a container tree in a private yard in the City of Revere,
Massachusetts. Planting container or bare root trees when possible is more
cost effective, enables easier transport and handling, and causes fewer
disturbances to yards than planting balled-and-burlapped trees.
12 CityTREES
