What Happens When Your Lawn Looks Like Phoenix?

Interesting article on the environmental and economic benefits of having a tree filled yard versus one that is rock filled.  From the article:

"To this Greg McPherson of the Pacific Southwest Research Station of the US Forest Service adds that trees also mitigate flooding, sequester carbon, absorb noise, protect against skin cancer and beautify cities. They also pay their way financially. In a study for the US Department of Agriculture, McPherson found that a single mature shade tree could represent one per cent of a home's value. Properties on well-shaded streets could command three to seven percent higher prices than their unsheltered counterparts. In Los Angeles County, that gives the mature tree in the front yard of a median-priced home the value of $5,000 and the house on the shaded street a boost of up to $40,000."