There's something to be said about coming home to a house on a cool and quiet tree lined street after a stressful or exhausting day at work. The Borough of Phoenixville is blessed with many cool and quiet tree lined streets. Tree lined streets and avenues are one of the hallmarks Phoenixville neighborhoods.

Street Trees Don't just Stand There. What some residents may not be aware of is the benefits street trees provide beyond their outward aesthetic contribution. Just like street lights, fire hydrants, and water lines, street trees are valuable assets to our neighborhood environment.

Street Trees (and trees in general) offer many benefits that you may not be aware of:

• Air Filtration- Street Trees help clean and filter the air moving through them trapping particulate matter in their leaf structures. The particulate matter gets washed harmlessly to the ground by following rain sessions.
  
• Produces Good air- Street Trees remove the air pollutant carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air by absorbing the gas through their leaves. The tree breaks down the pollutant and stores the carbon in its structure (wood) and releases the oxygen back to the air around your home.
  
• Water Manager- Street Trees slow down water run-off during rain storms. Trees catch rain drops and, much like a sponge, hold the water through the wetting of thousands of leaf and branch surfaces. The rain water is released slowly through dripping and evaporation. This slow dripping process allows more water to be absorbed into the ground benefiting the tree via the tree roots, improving the ground water table, and slowing down water run-off prone to cause soil erosion, and the flooding of creeks, rivers, and storm sewers.
  
• Street Trees Reduced Heating & Cooling Costs- Homes receiving shade protection from direct sun and shelter from cold winds experience reduced yearly heating and cooling costs.
  
• Climate Control- Street Trees moderate the effects of sun, wind, and rain. Neighborhood asphalt streets and cement sidewalks are cooler.
  
• Increase Property Value- Cared for landscaped properties with street trees are 5-20% more valuable than non-landscaped estates
  
• Glare and Reflection Control – Street Trees will help reduce the harsh sun glare and reflection from hard surfaces like streets and sidewalks around your home. Reduced sun glare and reflection will slow house paint and window treatment fading.
  
• Wind Break, Deflection- Street Trees act as wind breaks by slowing and deflecting wind gusts.
  
• Sound Control- Street Trees contribute to a quieter home and neighborhood by absorbing traffic and industrial noises.
  Seasonal Beauty- Depending upon the species, Street Trees can add seasonal beauty to a home and neighborhood through spring and summer blooms and colorful fall leaf displays.
  
• Shelter & Food for Wildlife: Street Trees provide shelter, nesting sites, and a source of food for a wide variety of song birds. More song birds provide greater enjoyment and fewer insects around your home and neighborhood.

Street Trees are a growing asset to any property. To request the planting of a Borough Street Tree in front of or near your property review the PDF document 'Obtaining a Street Tree' or contact the Borough of Phoenixville Shade Tree Commission 610-933-8801.