Headlines

Missing: 10 Million Gallons of Rainwater

When it rains, most of the raindrops hit a leaf or branch surface and remain there a while in “temporary storage” before they are released by evaporation into the atmosphere or by drops falling to the ground. Mature deciduous tree (i.e. maples, birch and most oaks lose leaves during the winter) can intercept 500–700 gallons of water per year, which equates to over 3 Water Butts every week. Mature evergreen trees (i.e. magnolias or pines, retain their leaves year round) can intercept more than 4,000 gallons per year. In fact for every 5% of tree cover added to a community, storm water runoff is reduced by approximately 2%.