Summary of “The Importance of Urban Forests”

For English 100, I had the pleasure of writing a summary of a very informative and interesting article titled, “The Importance of Urban Forests,” written by Amy Fleming. Fleming explores the benefits of trees in cities that the majority may not always think of.

In the article “The Importance of Urban Forests” (2016), the author Amy Fleming focuses her attention on the benefit of trees in urban neighbourhoods. Fleming explores the various benefits of these trees, reasoning that they are so much more than just “expensive ornaments”(2). She references many scholars who have researched urban forests, but all have a mutual understanding that trees are essential in bustling cities driving the economics to a higher value (3). The neighbourhoods that have trees and more greenery tend to have a higher property value of up to 20%(2). Deeper within the article, Fleming also states that trees impact economics, saving a vast amount of money along with the positive environmental impact. It is evident that urban forests reduce carbon dioxide levels, filter airborne pollutants and create a cleaner, healthier atmosphere (2,3,4). For example, a singular large tree “can absorb 150kg of carbon dioxide a year”(2), further showing how having a vast amount of forestry among a bustling city can drive for a healthier lifestyle for all of those that reside within. These urban forests have also shown to improve the mental and physical states of those who reside near them, lowering anxiety levels, reducing health inequality and increasing the energy within the community. She states that people who live near trees tend to feel happier. Fleming quotes that “if you have 10 more trees on a city block, it improves health perception as much as having £10,000 more income, or feeling seven years younger” (4).