Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of difference in urban tree plantings on microclimate amelioration, and to suggest essential information for quantifying urban energy budgets and energy savings. This study was focused on measuring and analyzing air temperature and relative humidity in summer. Daytime air temperatures at places with 8%, 24%, 44%, 79%, and 100% cover of woody plants were, respectively, $0.6^{\circ}C,\;1.3^{\circ}C,\;2.4^{\circ}C,\;3.5^{\circ}C,\;and\;4.8^{\circ}C$ cooler, compared to a place with 0% cover. A 10% increase of woody plant cover was estimated to reduce the temperature by approximately $0.55^{\circ}C$. The temperature reduction effects were relatively greater between places with lower cover of woody plants than between those with higher cover. Woody plant cover and crown volume were the appropriate indicators which quantified the effects of tree plantings on air temperatures, based on the correlation analysis. Regression equations to estimate temperature change ($Y:^{\circ}C$) using woody plant cover ($X_1:%$) or crown volume ($X_2:m^3$) as independent variables are as follows: $$1nY=3.3233-0.0018X_1\;(r^2=0.99,\;p<0.0001)\;Y=27.5297-0.0019X_2\;(r^2=0.96,\;p=0.0007)$$