True infrastructure resilience is rooted in trees. And we need to continue transitioning from a model that uses trees as tools for beautification to one that emphasizes their importance for biological resilience and infrastructural strength.
Trees are one of the few investments that deliver returns across environmental, economic, social, and public health outcomes.
The same is true when storms hit. As global temperatures rise, the nature of precipitation is changing. We are now seeing more frequent and intense bursts of rainfall that often outpace the soil's ability to absorb it, creating a dangerous and unpredictable flooding landscape for our communities. Recent estimates suggest the total annual economic costs of U.S. flooding range from $179.8 billion to $496 billion, including direct and indirect commercial impacts.
Well-placed trees increase property values and reduce energy costs. In Cincinnati, community trees save the average household $56 annually in cooling costs, totaling $4.8 million in savings citywide. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that planting just three trees in strategic locations can reduce household energy bills by $100 to $250 per year and cut energy use by up to 25%. Trees function as a high-performing utility. Unlike most infrastructure that depreciates, a strategic investment in green systems provides an immediate return on investment, delivering savings that can be reinvested.
Adopting a “must-have” tree mindset means mirroring the strategic investment we already provide for roads and utilities. It means planning for them, funding them, and maintaining them with the same rigor. It means setting canopy goals, investing in long-term care, and ensuring that every neighborhood benefits from their protection. It means integrating trees into broader policy conversations around climate, housing, and public health.
We don’t ask whether we can afford sidewalks or clean water systems—we recognize them as essential. Trees belong in that same category. They are living systems that support our built environment and make our communities safer, healthier, and more resilient.
This Arbor Day, let’s celebrate by planting trees. But let’s also commit to something bigger: recognizing trees for what they truly are—not just amenities, but essential infrastructure we can no longer afford to overlook.
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