Celebrating Trees’ Impact on Business

Trees are essential to the environment—they provide oxygen as well as shade on a hot day, and can transform landscapes for the better. But did you know that trees can have a positive impact on businesses, too?

In honor of Love a Tree Day on May 16^th, we are exploring the economic impact of trees to the Greater Daytona Region and businesses across the state. Just read on to learn more.

Trees’ business benefits

According to research compiled by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, trees can help businesses in surprising ways, including…

• Improved property values
• Business-friendly shopping habits (in shopping districts lined with trees, shoppers tend to shop more frequently and are willing to spend more money on both products and parking)
• Energy savings, thanks to the shade/cooling effect of properly planted trees

Businesses also benefit from the improved quality of life associated with trees. In large numbers, community trees can catch rainwater, remove pollutants from the air, and create safer neighborhoods. Additionally, some research has linked employee absenteeism and low productivity to a lack of nature in the workplace—when employees have the opportunity to see the view outside, those challenges may be mitigated.

How does Florida stack up?

How does the Sunshine State compare to the rest of the country in terms of trees? According to data compiled by Stacker, a research analysis website, Florida is number 21 out of the 50 states, with tree cover encompassing 54.9 percent of the state. An abundance of trees can be seen in both communities as well as local parks—in the Greater Daytona Region, for example, especially verdant destinations include…

• Tomoka State Park, a back-to-nature escape whose lush canopy is home to more than 160 bird species
• Bulow Creek State Park, an Ormond Beach treasure where visitors can see the Fairchild Oak (more than 400 years old and one of the South’s largest live oaks)
• Blue Spring State Park, a popular spot for kayaking in crystalline waters surrounded by lush banks

Even outside of these parks, which are popular destinations for tourists and locals, residents benefit from the trees that line their communities, color their commutes to work and make their shifts that much more productive.

As we celebrate Love a Tree Day, we are reminded of the many ways nature interacts with the economy. To stay up-to-date with insights, updates and trends worth knowing for growing and expanding businesses, stay tuned to Team Volusia! We are here to help with whatever you may need.