If you have questions about incorporating Ponderosa Pines into your project, or would like to learn more about having Ponderosa Pine seedlings planted at no cost, please contact us.

Advantages of Incorporating Ponderosa Pines Into Your Projects

Lowers Costs and Increased Property Values

• Ponderosa Pines can reduce long-term landscape maintenance costs, increasing project profitability compared to non-native tree species.
• Studies show that mature trees can increase property values and help make homes more attractive to buyers.
• Commercial areas with trees can benefit from higher occupancy and rental or lease rates.
• Tree-lined shopping areas can encourage increased consumer patronage and spending.
• Research shows that shade from trees can help extend the life of asphalt pavement.
• By intercepting and storing rainfall, Ponderosa Pines help reduce stormwater runoff and the need for additional stormwater infrastructure.
• Our Ponderosa Pine urban forest provides environmental, economic, and health benefits that contribute to a healthier, more productive community.
• Strategically placed trees can help reduce building heating and cooling costs.
• Ponderosa Pines have relatively few pest problems.

Builds Community

• Ponderosa Pines contribute to the unique character of Spokane County.
• Incorporating existing trees into site plans provides a sense of establishment and maturity.
• Many of Spokane County’s most popular residential areas have retained their native Ponderosa Pines.
• Retaining and planting Ponderosa Pines in development projects helps connect the project to the area’s unique character and local identity.
• Local projects that remove Ponderosa Pines, or exclude them from the planting palette, can lose that distinctive Spokane character and take on an “Anywhere USA” appearance.

Environmentally Sustainable

• Ponderosa Pine is one of Spokane County’s most characteristic native tree species.
• Thrives naturally in our local climate and environment.
• Provides the benefits of a large tree species with relatively low water and maintenance needs once established.
• Highly drought tolerant once established.
• Typically requires little to no supplemental irrigation once well established, depending on site and weather conditions.
• Provides food and habitat for native wildlife.
• Approved for use in certain stormwater facilities, including ponds and swales, in the City of Spokane.
• Included among tree species suitable for street-tree planting in the City of Spokane.
• Helps control erosion and stabilize soil.
• Can help support stormwater management and water quality.
• Has adaptations that can provide greater fire resilience as the tree matures.

Offers aesthetic and creative experiences

• Spokane County offers countless recreational opportunities within our native pine forests and open spaces.
• Ponderosa Pines are synonymous with our region and its natural beauty.
• Ponderosa Pines provide year-round beauty, character, and visual interest.

Enables people and communities to function more effectively

• Ponderosa Pines require less supplemental water once established, helping conserve local water resources.
• Research shows that tree shade can reduce asphalt pavement deterioration and extend the time between maintenance treatments.
• By intercepting and storing rainfall, mature trees can help reduce stormwater runoff and the demand on stormwater infrastructure.
• Our Ponderosa Pine urban forest provides environmental, economic, and community benefits that contribute to a healthier and more resilient Spokane.

Promotes public health and well-being

• A mature tree canopy can help reduce the urban heat island effect.
• Research has associated views of trees and natural environments with improved recovery and well-being in healthcare settings.
• The root systems of Ponderosa Pines help stabilize soil and reduce erosion, helping protect our rivers and streams.
• Ponderosa Pines can help capture airborne pollutants and support healthier urban environments.
• Our urban forest helps improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) and storing carbon.

Benefits Of Trees

Urban forests provide communities with a wide range of benefits, including recreational and cultural opportunities, energy conservation, improved stormwater management, enhanced biodiversity and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and increased economic and property values.

• The Value of Trees — Arbor Day Foundation; an overview of the environmental, economic, health, and community benefits of trees.
• Value of Urban Forests — U.S. Forest Service; research on the environmental and economic value of urban trees, including air quality, energy conservation, and stormwater benefits.
• Calculating the Green in Green: What's an Urban Tree Worth? — U.S. Forest Service; research examining property values, energy savings, and the economic benefits of urban trees.
• Business District Streetscapes, Trees, and Consumer Response — Kathleen L. Wolf, U.S. Forest Service; research examining how trees influence consumer perceptions, patronage, and economic activity in business districts.
• Strip Malls, City Trees, and Community Values — Kathleen L. Wolf, U.S. Forest Service; research on landscaping, community character, consumer behavior, and retail environments.
• Trees and Infrastructure — Arbor Day Foundation; information on the role of trees as green infrastructure and their benefits for stormwater, air quality, and energy conservation.

Municipal Guidelines

City of Spokane

• SMC Title 17C – Land Use Standards: Chapter 17C.200 – Landscaping and Screening
• SMC Title 12, Chapter 12.02, Article V: Section 12.02.900 – Urban Forestry Program
• SMC Title 17B: City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan

City of Spokane Valley

• SVMC Chapter 22.70 – Fencing, Landscaping and Screening

City of Liberty Lake

• City of Liberty Lake Development Code

Spokane County

• Spokane County Codes and Ordinances

Useful Links

• American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
• Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (WASLA)
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
• American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)
• U.S. Green Building Council – LEED
• Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP)