Vibrant Canopy = Vibrant Community: Trees and Community Health 

Urban forests provide a catalyst for social connections. Neighborhoods lined with towering trees and blooming gardens create a welcoming atmosphere for all to enjoy. According to environmental professionals researching environment and behavior at Washington State University,  “More social activities were observed in inner city common spaces with trees than in treeless spaces of the same size.” People who live in communities with more green space are inspired to get outside and share nature experiences with neighbors, often developing a growing sense of community pride and ownership in their shared outdoor space. Trees make communities feel good! 

Roots of a Healthy Community: Tree Distributions and Tree Sales 

Tree by tree, Tree Trust is growing canopy and community. We partner with municipalities to host tree sales offering a variety of discounted, diverse tree species to area residents. Numerous studies find tree cover encourages social connections amongst neighbors, helping to establish strong community roots. At a recent tree sale pick-up event one happy new tree owner loaded 24 different trees into a trailer. He shared that many of these trees were gifts for his neighbors and that together they would plant them in their yards, happy to make their community greener. This is just one example of how trees build community.  

Trees and Community Health: Tree Planting Events

Another way that we are creating community with trees is through planting events. Tree Trust’s Green Futures donors help create a legacy of health and hope for our urban neighborhoods through investing in planting more trees. Thanks to the generosity of our financial donors, Tree Trust hosts community planting events every spring and fall. Volunteers contribute time and physical labor to add more trees to local parks and community spaces. Urban trees in public parks invite neighbors to venture outdoors, appreciate nature, and enjoy each other’s company. In addition to a sense of shared connection, trees in parks offer numerous benefits to urban communities, including increased health and happiness. A recent cross-sectional study, “Green common spaces and the social integration of inner-city older adults,” found that the “results of interviews … from one inner-city neighborhood show that the use of green outdoor common spaces predicted both the strength of neighborhood social ties and sense of community.” The positive feelings of living with urban tree cover have a significant effect on life satisfaction and health for community members! 

Will you give the gift of a greener future for your community?  

Donate today and double your impact due to a generous match from an anonymous donor!