Trees

How Trees Help to Reduce Flooding

Trees help manage rain in natural ways. Their leaves and branches intercept the rain, slowing it or holding it until it evaporates. Tree roots create tunnels in the soil that help water soak into the ground instead of running off into streets, sewer pipes, and rivers. Trees also pull water from the ground and release it into the atmosphere as water vapor.

As trees grow bigger, their stormwater benefits increase because they have more leaves to intercept rainwater and more root mass to help water absorb into the soil. Trees grow slowly, but their benefits increase over time.

Trees complement other types of green infrastructure to help slow down rain, soak it into the ground, and reduce flooding. Additionally, trees have many other social and ecological benefits.

Benefits of Trees

Intercept rain before it reaches sewer pipes and rivers
Mitigate climate change
Reduce flooding
Clean the air
Support better health
Produce oxygen
Green neighborhoods
Provide habitat
Sequester carbon

Trees at Work: Join the Effort

Increasing tree canopy is one of MMSD’s nature-based flood management strategies. MMSD has a goal of increasing the tree canopy throughout the Milwaukee River Basin by working with public and private landowners through its various tree programs. By working together, we can reduce flooding, protect water, and improve our communities.

The Big Plant

The Big Plant is a collective effort to distribute trees to residents in SE Wisconsin. We invite Community-Based Organizations to get involved by distributing trees in your community.

Learn How

Reforestation and Wetland Restoration Program

MMSD partners with public and private landowners to plant six million trees and restore or enhance 4,000 acres of wetlands across the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds, intercepting rain and strengthening natural systems.

Learn More

Tree Installation & Care

Tree Planning and Selection Guide

More Ways to Benefit Your Community

Plant a Rain Garden

Rain gardens help reduce sewer overflows and water pollution by absorbing stormwater runoff from hard surfaces into the ground naturally. Learn how to plant a rain garden and help protect Lake Michigan.

Install a Rain Barrel

Get FREE water by the barrel from your roof and use it when it’s dry outside to use in your landscape. Rain barrels help keep excess water out of the sewer system and help reduce water pollution.

Text: WATERDROP to 414-296-4422 for Española texto GOTADEAGUA a 414-296-4422

Receive Water Drop Alert text messages when heavy rain threatens the area. When a Water Drop Alert has been issued, a reminder is sent to use less water.

What do you do when an alert is issued?

Hold off on washing dishes and laundry
Take a shorter shower
Empty your rain barrel