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).

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

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....