I like trees. I have two huge oaks and they make me happy. Most people I know tend to like theirs as well. That’s the basic mindset in which I read a recent FFAF comment thread discussing our largely non-existent residential tree ordinance.

Caveat: I tend to bristle at heavy-handed meddling in my affairs so I’ve never been a big fan of neighborhood tree ordinances. Wanna chop down all your trees? You’re outta your mind as far as I’m concerned but, hey, I’m not you. It’s your yard. Have at it.

Instead, I’ve always wished we could simply inspire people to value trees. Not just an individual tree but the culture of trees — the ongoing planting, nurturing and enjoyment of them. Not for emotional reasons or under threat of fines, but in practical, measurable terms. And that’s why today felt like Christmas morning, because my wish came true in the form of this posting on The Atlantic Cities site.

As it turns out, trees aren’t just pretty. They’re serious bottom line performers, and in ways that seem very compatible with how we tend to think and behave around here.

In the referenced studies, not only did a tree in front of one’s house add more than $7,000 to its sales price, it added $13,000 to the value of the house next door.

Uh, whah?!

That’s right. Plant a tree and you’re not just doing yourself a nice financial service. You’re doing your neighbor an even nicer one. And when they invest in their own trees, the tables turn and the benefit comes right back to you.

Fits pretty nicely with Decatur’s neighbor-helping-neighbor community ethic, don’t ya think? And the role of local government in all this? That’s where things get even better (I told you it felt like Christmas morning), because the study also found that strong walkability (like Decatur pursues) raises individual property values $3,500 in a treeless neighborhood but more than $22,000 on tree-lined streets. 

So what should Decatur city government be doing? Well, they could enact an ordinance limiting your choices and inserting potential obstacles into the use of your property or, instead, they could broaden their already admirable planting program to include street trees not just downtown but all over. The former deifies an already aging inventory; the latter adds up to an ever-renewing canopy.

Street trees in walkable places equals increased property values which equals increased tax revenues which funds more street trees. Or, they could carry clipboards around and devote manpower to keeping an eye on you.

Which would you prefer? Carrot or stick?