Even a single urban tree can help moderate wind speeds and keep pedestrians comfortable as they walk down the street, according to a new University of British Columbia study that also found losing a single tree can increase wind pressure on nearby buildings and drive up heating costs.
The researchers used remote-sensing laser technology to create a highly detailed computer model of a Vancouver neighbourhood down to every tree, plant and building.
They then used computer simulation to determine how different scenarios — no trees, bare trees, and trees in full leaf — affect airflow and heat patterns around individual streets and houses.
“We found that removing all trees can increase wind speed by a factor of two, which would make a noticeable difference to someone walking down the street. For example, a 15 km/h wind speed is pleasant, whereas walking in 30 km/h wind is more challenging,” said lead author Marco Giometto, who wrote the paper as a postdoctoral fellow in civil engineering at UBC.
