As more and more of our towns and cities are swallowed up by housing and industry, it is even more essential that future planning protects our sacred spaces for future generations.

A rising population is placing our natural landscape under strain, with urban areas increasingly expanding into the countryside to cope with increased housing demand.

While we might not be able to reverse the pace of change, town planners can reap some of the benefits of the natural environment by environmentally-friendly developments which incorporate green space and trees.

The benefits of trees and plant life on health and wellbeing should not be underestimated. Inner city areas often suffer from air pollution problems because of the vast number of homes, roads and factories concentrated within a small area. Trees can help to purify the air and also significantly contribute to people’s mood and emotions.   

The following list details 8 reasons why trees in an urban environment improve health and wellbeing:

1. Trees cleanse the air. Trees absorb harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides, ammonia and sulphur dioxide by absorbing them through the pores on the leaf surface. This filtering effect enhances the air quality local to the tree and promoting better breathing. It also reduces injury to the tree as air pollutants impair photosynthesis and make them more likely to be attacked by insects.
2. Trees provide oxygen. It is estimated that within one year, an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people.
3. Combat climate change. Trees can help lessen the damage caused to the ozone layer through a build-up of carbon dioxide. Every year, each acre of mature trees absorbs the same levels of CO2 produced by a car driving 26,000 miles.
4. Trees cool the air naturally. Inner city temperatures are usually higher, particularly in areas where tree coverage has declined. Trees are able to reduce air temperatures by up to 10F through their shading qualities and releasing cooling water vapour into the atmosphere. This reduces energy usage in offices which rely on air conditioning during the summer months. 
5. Trees reduce water usage. Research shows that the shelter provided by trees will slow down water evaporation from lawns. This means less artificial irrigation is required.
6. Trees protect children from harmful sunrays. Skin cancer is worry for every parent during summer. The presence of trees can reduce exposure of ultra-violet light by as much as 50%, reducing the risk to children who spend considerable time outdoors in gardens and playgrounds.
7. Trees offer psychological healing. The presence of trees within a domestic setting or hospital environment can greatly enhance the psychological wellbeing of local residents, providing a sense of relaxation and well-being and an opportunity to heal and de-stress. They can also mask unsightly urban views which have the opposite effect on psychological wellbeing. Research in Chicago found areas with green landscaping and trees had fewer instances of domestic abuse and reduced levels of crime (Kuo and Sullivan; Hines).
8. Reduce water pollution. Trees act as a sponge, filtering water naturally and rejuvenating groundwater supplies. This reduces the opportunity for stormwater runoff to carry pollutants to the sea.    

The presence of trees not only improves a development’s aesthetics but also contributes to the health and happiness of those who live there. The hope is that as more research is undertaken to measure the physical benefits to human health, local authorities and private developers will increase the proportion of green space they designate within an area of housing, and help to reinstate some of our lost natural habitats.

We hope you found this article on ‘8 reasons why trees in an urban environment improve health and wellbeing’ useful, if you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.