Trees are beautiful in the spring, but they do so much more than just look nice.

The mental health around having access to green spaces, being able to go to a park and see birds and natural wildlife, all of those benefits is really what we're trying to provide to residents.

It's Tuesday, April 9th, and let me just take a look at my calendar.

Yep, today is Science Friday.

I'm SciFRI producer Kathleen Davis.

If you live in a city, the shade of a tree can be hugely important during a hot day.

There are a lot of functions that trees do that result in a better

quality of life for us people. But trees aren't equitably distributed in urban areas, and that has

consequences. Ira spoke with two experts about urban trees live at the George Washington University

in Washington, D.C. We really came down to D.C. at the right time, right?

Weather-wise this week, the famous cherry blossoms are full bloom around the tidal basin,

as are the magnolias, the other flowering trees.

It was just gorgeous, as we say.

Of course, when the trees bloom, they're beautiful,

but the trees do a lot more in our cities than just look good.

They play an important role in absorbing heat, sequestering carbon dioxide, preventing soil erosion.

And here with me to talk about the importance of trees in our cities are my guests.

Dr. Michael Lonzo, assistant professor of environmental

science at American University, and Ryan Alston, communications director at the Baltimore

Tree Trust. Welcome to Science Friday.

Thank you.

Thank you.

...