Fast Fact Library

Experiencing nature promotes recovery from crisis better than taking a walk or interacting with friends, and the benefits may be larger for those who are suffering the most. People with many experiences of nature...

Ottosson, Johan, and Patrik Grahn. (2008). The role of natural settings in crisis rehabilitation: How does the level of crisis influence the response to experiences of nature with regard to measures of rehabilitation? Landscape Research, 33(1), 51-70.

Children living in areas of New York City with more street trees have a lower prevalence of asthma, as indicated by a study of children aged 4-5 years in 42 health service catchment areas. The rate of early...

Lovasi, Gina S., James W. Quinn, Kathryn M. Neckerman, Matthew S. Perzanowski, and Andrew Rundle. (July 2008). Children living in areas with more street trees have lower prevalence of asthma. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 62(7): 647-649. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2007.071894

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.