As cities grow, changes in the landscape occur that cause urban areas to become warmer than their surroundings – creating an “island” of higher temperatures. On a hot summer day, dry, exposed urban surfaces like streets, roofs and parking lots can be 50-90 degrees hotter than the air, while shaded surfaces remain close to air temperature. (EPA, 2011) All of these super-heated streets and parking lots can increase averages temperatures within the City by as much as 5 degrees Fahrenheit!
What do we do about it?
Strategically placing trees to shade pavement is one of the most cost effective ways to combat the urban heat island effect. The NeighborWoods program is designed to do just that! Each year, TreeFolks provides 3,600 free street trees to Austin Energy customers to shade streets, reduce home energy costs and make Austin’s neighborhoods better places to live and play. That’s enough trees to shade both sides of the street for 8 miles!
How does it work? TreeFolks evaluates entire neighborhoods during summer and fall looking for places where there is room to plant a tree along the street. We mark yards that qualify for a free street tree with a yellow or blue flag and leave an order form on the property owners’ door handle. Home-owners who agree to plant and water the tree(s) for at least 2 years may reserve their free trees on our website or by mail. TreeFolks delivers the trees, along with planting and watering instructions, between October and March.
More information about Urban Heat Island Effect:
Urban Heat Island Mitigation Project
City of Austin – Climate Protection Program
Heat Island Effect
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency