Tree Guidelines for San Joaquin Valley Communities

San Joaquin Valley communities will be among the fastest growing in the state during the next decade. The role of urban forests to enhance the environment, increase community attractiveness, and foster civic pride will take on greater significance as Valley communities strive to preserve and improve their quality of life. Urban and community forestry has been recognized as a cost-effective means to cool urban heat islands, improve air quality, and combat global warming. 

San Joaquin Valley communities can promote energy efficiency through tree planting and stewardship programs that strategically locate trees to shade buildings, cool urban heat islands, and minimize conflicts with power lines and other infrastructure elements. Also, these same trees can also reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, increase property values, enhance community attractiveness, and promote public health. Neighborhood tree plantings and stewardship projects stimulate investment by local citizens, business, and government to improve their communities. The simple act of planting trees also provides opportunities to connect residents with nature and with each other. 

This report addresses a number of questions about the energy conservation potential and other benefits of urban and community forests in the San Joaquin Valley.