THE LEAFLET

Have you ever wondered how much it really costs to plant a tree in the DMV? While the human health and environmental benefits of trees are priceless, each tree we plant does have a price associated with it. To grow one tree on our farm in Berryville, VA, transport it to DC, and then plant it in its forever home costs just over $400. When you consider that we plant over 7,000 trees across the capital region each year, that means we invest almost $3 million in planting our tree canopy each year.

And that’s just the cost of planting. It doesn’t account for the watering, pruning, and care that goes into our stewardship of the trees we plant. It also doesn’t account for all the work Casey Trees does to protect our large, established trees and green spaces or for the time we spend year-round in schools educating the next generation on the importance of caring for our urban tree canopy.

The upfront costs of planting a tree may seem steep, but both the short- and long-term benefits trees provide far exceed their initial cost and actually end up being cost-saving over time. For every $1 spent on trees, from planting to maintenance, there is a $2.23 return on investment. Shade trees reduce home energy use by 16% annually and DC trees save residents and businesses $3.5 million annually in energy costs, including by lowering heating and cooling bills. In addition, adults living in urban areas with high levels of greenery are three times more likely to be physically active. Not to mention that urban green spaces provide a natural gathering place for people to come together, socialize, and build relationships with one another.

Are you interested in learning more about and quantifying the benefits of trees in your neighborhood? Then check out i-Tree on the web or on your phone through their app, where you can estimate individual tree benefits in terms of carbon dioxide, air pollution, stormwater impacts, and energy savings. Interested in getting a FREE tree planted in your yard? Visit our residential plant page to learn more!

It takes all of us working together to create and maintain a robust urban tree canopy. Please consider supporting our work, so that we can continue planting in communities that need trees, at no cost to them. By investing in trees today, you’re helping to ensure a greener and better future for all.