Assessing the benefits and costs of the urban forest

This early text on the benefits and costs of the urban forest provides a foundation for understanding the many ecosystem services trees provide. It describes, mainly in qualitative terms with some quantification, the benefits of urban forests associated with energy reduction and carbon dioxide conservation, air quality improvement, hydrology, noise reduction, wildlife/soil/biodiversity conservation, human health and medical benefits, increases in real estate values, local economic development, and community strengthening.