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Trees Clean the Soil

close shot of large tree truck and tree roots in winter soil

Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura

The term phytoremediation is the scientific word for the absorption of dangerous chemicals and other pollutants that have entered the soil. Trees can either store harmful pollutants or actually change the pollutant into less harmful forms. Trees filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of animal wastes, clean roadside spills, and clean water runoff into streams.

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Trees Control Noise Pollution

idyllic shot of fall leaves and landscape park and lake with city buildings in background

Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura

Trees muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stone walls. Trees, planted at strategic points in a neighborhood or around your house, can abate major noises from freeways and airports.

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Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff

dusky shot of green forest with dappled sunlight through canopy

Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura

Flash flooding is already reduced by forests and can be dramatically reduced by planting more trees. One Colorado blue spruce, either planted or growing wild, can intercept more than 1,000 gallons of water annually when fully grown. Underground water-holding aquifers are recharged with this slowing down of water runoff. Recharged aquifers counter drought.