Tree Cover

The Tree Cover indicator measures the amount of tree canopy within the neighborhood. Numerous positive health outcomes are related to increased tree coverage: trees absorb air pollution and release oxygen which has been shown to enhance respiratory health, reduce fatigue and increase productivity; they promote physical activity, lower stress, and help control weight. Tree also absorb and block sound, with the ability to reduce noise pollution by as much as 40 percent. Finally, tree cover reduces exposure to UV rays, the cause of sun burns and skin cancer, and lowers air temperatures. Listed under the Natural Areas domain, the Tree Cover indicator also impacts the Economic Health, Health Systems and Public Safety, Housing, Neighborhood Characteristics, Social Cohesion, and Environmental Hazards domains. Data on Tree Cover is available from the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD).

Neighborhood Indicator Value Ranksort ascending
Smithfield 0.0% 77
Crestwood North 0.0% 77
Fairview 0.0% 77
South Pratt 0.0% 77
South Titusville 0.0% 77
Arlington - West End 0.0% 77
Druid Hills 0.0% 77
Fountain Heights 0.0% 77
South Woodlawn 0.0% 77
Southside 0.0% 77
East Birmingham 0.0% 77
Grasselli Heights 0.0% 77
North Avondale 0.0% 77
Rising - West Princeton 0.0% 77
Graymont 0.0% 77
Tuxedo 0.0% 77
Central City 0.0% 77
Wahouma 0.0% 77
Enon Ridge 0.0% 77
Highland Park 0.0% 77
College Hills 0.0% 77
Hillman 0.0% 77
Hillman Park 0.0% 77
Oakwood Place 0.1% 75
Airport Highlands 0.1% 75
Central Park 0.2% 74
Collegeville 0.3% 73
Woodlawn 0.4% 71
Ensley 0.4% 71
Woodland Park 0.5% 69
East Avondale 0.5% 69
Belview Heights 0.6% 65
North East Lake 0.6% 65
North Titusville 0.6% 65
Ensley Highlands 0.6% 65
Germania Park 1.4% 64
North Birmingham 1.5% 63
Forest Park 1.6% 62
East Thomas 1.9% 61
East Brownville 2.0% 60
Acipco-Finley 2.1% 58
Norwood 2.1% 58
Riley 2.2% 57
Evergreen 2.4% 56
Inglenook 3.3% 55
Green Acres 4.0% 54
Industrial Center 4.5% 52
Powderly 4.5% 52
Bush Hills 4.6% 51
Thomas 4.8% 50
East Lake 5.0% 49
West End Manor 5.1% 48
Harriman Park 5.5% 47
Kingston 5.8% 46
Crestline 5.9% 45
Glen Iris 6.4% 44
Zion City 7.1% 43
Gate City 8.2% 42
Wylam 8.3% 40
Five Points South 8.3% 40
Roebuck 8.5% 39
Eastwood 8.6% 38
Brownsville Heights 9.5% 37
Oak Ridge 10.3% 36
Jones Valley 10.9% 35
Roosevelt 11.9% 34
Spring Lake 13.2% 33
Bridlewood 14.5% 31
Brown Springs 14.5% 31
Mason City 15.0% 30
West Brownville 15.4% 29
Central Pratt 15.7% 28
Sun Valley 17.6% 27
Sandusky 20.9% 26
Crestwood South 24.3% 25
Oak Ridge Park 25.0% 24
Killough Springs 26.5% 23
Redmont Park 26.8% 22
Penfield Park 27.4% 21
Dolomite 27.7% 20
Huffman 29.0% 19
North Pratt 32.0% 18
Fairmont 35.9% 17
Tarpley City 36.3% 16
Apple Valley 36.4% 15
Echo Highlands 38.1% 14
Roebuck Springs 41.0% 13
Garden Highlands 43.1% 12
South East Lake 43.4% 11
West Goldwire 44.5% 10
Liberty Highlands 54.4% 9
Oxmoor 55.1% 8
Hooper City 60.8% 7
Pine Knoll Vista 66.4% 6
Maple Grove 66.5% 5
Smithfield Estates 66.9% 4
Brummitt Heights 68.8% 3
Sherman Heights 70.7% 2
Overton 72.4% 1

Key Citations:
1. Bowler DE, Buyung-Ali LM, Knight TM, Pullin AS. (2010) A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments. BMC Public Health. 2010 Aug 4;10:456. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20684754
2. Grant RH, Heisler GM, Gao W. (2002) Estimation of pedestrian level UV exposure under trees. Photochem Photobiol. 2002 Apr; 75(4):369-76. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12003126
3. Nowak, D. (2002). The Effects of Urban Trees on Air Quality. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Available at: http://nrs.fs.fed.us/units/urban/local-resources/downloads/Tree_Air_Qual....