Greenbelt’s tree canopy is measured at an impressive 62 percent, far higher than Baltimore’s 20 percent. In other words, when looking down at Greenbelt from the sky, 62 percent of what one would see are the tops of trees. Having so many trees is worth $1.3 million to the city annually, according to Shirley Vaughn of the Davey Tree Expert Company. She noted that because of its trees Greenbelt has less stormwater runoff, less air pollution and more carbon sequestration than other cities. Greenbelters also have fewer problems with allergies, lower energy costs, increased property values and less stress overall according to the Urban Forest Tree Master Plan Vaughn presented to council on August 20. Brian Townsend, Public Works arborist and members of the Advisory Committee on Trees (Charles Jackman, Ethel Dutky and Bob Trumbule) were also present at the council worksession. Despite this rosy assessment of the value of Greenbelt’s many trees, Vaughn says that Greenbelt trees are at risk if the city doesn’t take immediate steps to sustain them.
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