Fast Fact Library

In 8 out of 10 urban arterial and city road sections studied in Texas, a statistically significant decrease in traffic accidents was observed after landscape improvements.

Mok, Jeong-Hun, Harlow C. Landphair, and Jody R. Naderi. (2006). Landscape improvement impacts on roadside safety in Texas. Landscape and Urban Planning 78(3), 263-274.

The perceived health of residents increases as the amount of green space increases within 3 km of their homes, regardless of how urban the respondents' homes are. 15.5% of respondents living near the lowest amount...

Maas, Jolanda, Robert A. Verheij, Peter P. Groenewegen, Sjerp De Vries, and Peter Spreeuwenberg. “Green Space, Urbanity, and Health: How Strong Is the Relation?” Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 60, no. 7 (July 2006): 587–92. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2005.043125.

Computer modeling estimates that urban trees in the contiguous U.S. remove 711,000 metric tons of carbon, monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide each year, a service with an annual...

Nowak, David J., Daniel E. Crane, and Jack C. Stevens. (2006). Air pollution removal by urban trees and shrubs in the United States. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 4(3), 115-123.

Surveys in cities across the U.S. indicate that consumers are willing to spend 9% to 12% more for goods and services in central business districts with high quality tree canopy.

Wolf, Kathleen L. (2005). Business district streetscapes, trees, and consumer response. Journal of Forestry 103(8): 396-400.

The monetary benefits of urban trees outweigh their maintenance and other associated costs. In a study of five U.S. cities, each dollar invested in urban trees returned between $1.37 and $3.09 in benefits. Benefits...

McPherson, Greg, James R. Simpson, Paula J. Peper, Scott E. Maco, and Qingfu Xiao. (2005). Municipal forest benefits and costs in five U.S. cities. Journal of Forestry 103(8), 411-416.

A Modesto, California study found that asphalt on streets shaded by large canopy trees lasts longer than asphalt on unshaded streets, reducing maintenance costs by 60% over 30 years.

McPherson, E. Gregory, and Jules Muchnick. Effects of Street Tree Shade on Asphalt Concrete Pavement Performance. Journal of Arboriculture 31, no. 6 (2005): 303-310.

Parks and open space contribute to increasing nearby property values. This review of numerous studies indicates that a 20% increase is a reasonable estimate, though the impact varies with park size, use, and design.

Crompton, John L. (2005). The impact of parks on property values: Empirical evidence from the past two decades in the United States. Managing Leisure, 10, 203-218.