Urban Forests: The Value of Trees in the City of Toronto

In this special environment report, TD Economics examines the economic value of the environmental and social benefits provided by Toronto's 10 million trees.

Highlights:

• Urban forests are made up of the trees, shrubs and other flora and fauna that line the streets, parks and ravines of our cities.
   
• Urban forests do more than beautify the scenery. They represent an important investment in environmental condition, human health and the overall quality of life.
   
• The trees in the City of Toronto’s urban forest are worth an estimated $7 billion, or about $700 per-tree.
   
• Toronto’s urban forest provides residents with over $80 million, or about $8 per-tree, worth of environmental benefits and cost savings each year. For the average single family household, this works out to $125 of savings per annum.
   
• For every dollar spent on annual maintenance, Toronto’s urban forest returns anywhere from $1.35 – $3.20 worth of benefits and cost savings each year.
   
• Maintaining the health of our urban forests is the best way to protect the value of our green investment.

To read the full report, visit: http://bit.ly/Sry9sl