18 adaptability. “We’re looking more into native adaptive trees that have evolved in a slightly warmer climate farther south from Atlanta, with warmer winters and hotter summers,” Moy said. The trees planted early in the organization’s history are now becoming mature, and communities are seeing the benefits. “Those mature trees provide a lot of shade, and that turns into better health outcomes. We’ve also seen animals moving back to places where they haven’t been seen in a long time,” Moy said. Part of the data-validation process used for the 2018 tree canopy update involves field verification of changes since 2008. As far as beneficial health impacts, a Clemson University study of a region in Northern California found that annual average health-care costs were $374 lower for those living near green space. Filling in Food Deserts In addition to health benefits, trees provide food beyond that of the ubiquitous peach tree. Trees Atlanta was instrumental in the creation of the Urban Food Forest at Browns Mill, the country’s largest edible-foods forest on public land, with 7.1 acres of land ripe with 2,500 pesticide-free edible and medicinal plants.
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