Did you know that ONE large oak tree can prevent the runoff of 1,000 gallons of stormwater each year?
When we think of Stormwater Management and Stormwater Infrastructure, too often we think only about ditches and drains instead of greenspaces and TREES! Through the processes of Interception, Infiltration, and Evapo-transpiration, trees act not just as green infrastructure but essential infrastructure.
Water absorption under the canopy of a mature tree, for instance, can increase by as much as 800% relative to a typical lawn or bare soil! Additionally, vibrant tree canopies can reduce stormwater runoff by more than 10%, with an individual mature tree intercepting nearly 20,000 gallons of stormwater annually.
Healthy, mature trees matter most! So, the next time you see trees in your neighborhood or on a drive, remember that they are much More Than Paper.
Quantifying the benefits of urban forest systems as a component of the green infrastructure stormwater treatment network >