Urban Forests are a Win for New Homes in Portland

New homes in Portland, Oregon have a distinct advantage over many other big cities—urban forests. In addition to beautifying the landscape, Portland home builders share that urban forests can offer cultural and economic advantages. Portland neighborhoods have urban forestry projects in places that include 1.2 million park trees and 236,000 street trees. If you look at a satellite image of the Portland area, you’ll see that trees cover about 30 percent of the city.

What is an Urban Forest?

Urban forestry is the act of managing natural systems, including trees, in urban settings to benefit the wellbeing and health of area neighborhoods. Natural systems aren’t just limited to green spaces and parks. Trees in private landscapes and those that line streets also count.

Why Seek New Homes in Portland Near an Urban Forest

• Environmental benefits: Trees and other natural systems, like moss, help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases. They naturally reduce the heat island effect you experience in cities, which helps temperatures feel cooler during the summer. Urban forests help improve water quality and promote a healthy watershed by reducing stormwater runoff and redirecting rainwater into the supply of ground water.
• Economic benefits: Trees can increase the value of a new home. According to Portland home builders, a mature tree can increase a property’s value by up to 10 percent. Businesses on streets lined with trees tend to get more business than those surrounded by just concrete and asphalt. In the summer, strategically placed trees can reduce cooling costs by 30 percent. During the winter, you can experience savings of 20 to 50 percent. Neighborhoods with trees also experience reduced crime rates of up to 7 percent.
• Cultural benefits: Scientific studies have found that natural systems help reduce stress and promote overall wellbeing. In a harsh urban landscape, trees help define a “sense of place” and encourage community interactions because people like to gather in green spaces. Trees also reduce noise pollution, improve road safety and increase educational opportunities.

If you are looking at new homes in Portland and want to learn more about those in urban forest settings, contact H. Hudson Homes for more information.

[Photo by: jeffgunn via CC License]

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