A new study of 13,000 residents of Toronto, suggests that living in a neighbourhood with more (and or larger) trees leads people to report feeling healthier. The research team used Toronto tree density data and combined this information with a self-reporting questionnaire of general health perception and certain medical conditions including heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
The study, which controlled for such demographic factors as income, age and education found that an extra 10 trees per block increased people’s health perceptions to the same degree as if they were seven years younger or made an additional $10,200/year.
If an eleventh tree were to be planted on each block it would raise health perceptions as much as an extra $20,000 in income.
Original research paper published in Scientific Reports on July 9, 2015.
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