For Arbor Day: trees by the numbers

In honor of Arbor Day, here are a few lesser-known facts about trees:

1872: The year of the first Arbor Day observance on April 10, proposed by Nebraska pioneer J. Sterling Morgan, was observed April 10, 1874, in order to promote the benefits of trees and encourage tree planting.

26,000: the number of miles a car could drive on the amount of CO2 one acre of mature trees absorbs in one year.

18: the number of people an acre of mature trees can provide oxygen for in one year.

10: the number of degrees Fahrenheit trees can cool a city.

50: the percentage of air conditioning needs that can be cut by strategically placing trees around homes.

15-20: The number of bushels of fruit an apple tree can produce in one year.

50: the percent of harmful UV-B exposure blocked by trees.

10: the average percent mature trees increase a property’s value.

2.1 billion: The amount of dollars heating and cooling costs are reduced annually by the effects of trees’ shade and wind buffering.

4,600: The years of age of the world’s oldest trees, Bristlecone pines, located in the United States.

200: Years an oak tree can live.

100 million: The number of trees that could need to be planted to reduce the amount of CO2 by an estimated 18 million tons per year.

7: pounds per cubic foot the lightest tree, balsa, weighs.

81: pounds per cubic foot the heaviest tree, the black ironwood, weighs.