We all know that trees positively impact our health, well-being, and the environment. Preserving canopy cover (“the urban forest”) is a critical issue in Metro Boston and MetroWest, one that has been described often in recent years. From an ecological standpoint, strategically-sited trees reduce heating and cooling costs, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, intercept stormwater runoff, and more. With a climate impact assessment, you will learn how trees on your property measure up to save you money through the environmental benefits they provide. In addition, you will learn where and what species to plant to further increase your savings!

 
Kat pruning her mature apple trees during a home pruning lesson. In late winter, we focus our efforts on guiding tree architecture to increase plant health and this year’s fruit crop.

What is a climate impact assessment?

Have you ever wondered exactly how your trees provide benefits to our environment, or how they directly affect your quality of life? After mapping your trees, I use a robust, science-based software application to provide you with reports that show estimated home energy cost savings, stormwater runoff savings, air quality improvement savings, and more.

Who should consider a climate impact assessment?

  • Homeowners who want to know the ecological benefits of existing trees on their property.

  • Designers who want future canopy growth data during the planning phase in order to avoid overplanting trees.

  • Homeowners who are concerned about a tree’s risk and want to know its ecological benefits in order to make a more balanced decision about risk mitigation.

  • Community groups planning a planting project and want to know the most desirable planting locations and species to increase ecological benefits.

  • Homeowners who want to know where and what trees to plant in order to maximize heating and cooling cost savings - today and over the next 20 years.

 

Our climate impact assessments include:

  1. Pre-site visit phone consultation and pricing

  2. Site visit

  3. Existing tree inventory and mapping for trees within 60 feet of existing buildings.

  4. Communication and reporting can include:

    • Current tree benefit and cost savings for: building energy use, stormwater interception, air quality improvement, and greenhouse gas mitigation (carbon sequestration).

    • Canopy growth modeling

    • Cumulative tree benefits and cost savings for a specified future timeframe

    • Strategic planting recommendations to maximize environmental benefits and projected savings

Climate Impact Assessment reports include environmental benefit data for individual or multiple trees.

Climate Impact Assessment reports include environmental benefit data for individual or multiple trees.

With a Climate Impact Assessment, you will receive a Google Earth image like the one here, clearly identifying the most desirable tree planting locations on your property to maximize environmental and cost savings.

With a Climate Impact Assessment, you will receive a Google Earth image like the one here, clearly identifying the most desirable tree planting locations on your property to maximize environmental and cost savings.