Alabama officials (mayor, council member, administrator) perceptions of benefits and problems of urban trees.
| Mayor | Council member | Administrator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| N = 204 | N = 359 | N = 220 | |
| Benefits | |||
| Increase in property valuesz | 45% | 45% | 35% |
| Decrease in energy costs | 25% | 24% | 19% |
| Improvement in air quality | 31% | 29% | 33% |
| Reduction of noise levels | 18% | 13% | 11% |
| Decrease in soil erosionz | 23% | 34% | 25% |
| Improvement in water qualityz | 26% | 24% | 32% |
| Creation of wildlife habitat | 28% | 34% | 35% |
| Increase in community pride | 46% | 40% | 41% |
| Reduction in storm water runoff | 15% | 17% | 20% |
| Increase in recreational opportunities | 39% | 41% | 40% |
| Improvement in health and well-beingz | 9% | 4% | 3% |
| Positive impact on consumer behavior | 15% | 16% | 11% |
| Creation of buffer zonesz | 9% | 6% | 3% |
| Problems and Costs | |||
| Planting costsz | 44% | 27% | 22% |
| Pruning costsz | 22% | 21% | 13% |
| Irrigation costsz | 61% | 66% | 58% |
| Recycling pruned tree limbz | 24% | 29% | 32% |
| Removing hazardous trees | 31% | 30% | 28% |
| Insect and disease controlz | 57% | 47% | 55% |
| Root damage to sidewalks, curbs, and utility lines | 7% | 9% | 8% |
| Medical costs associated with allergies | 7% | 10% | 7% |
| Administering a local urban tree programz | 14% | 25% | 30% |
| Damage to property or personal safety | 29% | 35% | 37% |
↵zA significant difference exists between at least two groups of the mayor, council member, and administrator.