Researchers looked at data from over 40,000 American adults to see if having more trees in their neighborhood was connected to lower stress levels. They found that people living in areas with more tree coverage had lower stress markers in their bodies. The connection seemed to work because trees encouraged people to be more active and exercise more. However, the benefit was stronger for some groups than others. Most American neighborhoods don’t have enough trees—over 80% fall short of the recommended amount of tree coverage.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether having more trees growing in your neighborhood is connected to having lower stress levels in your body
- Who participated: 40,307 American adults from different backgrounds: 52% women, average age 47, including 67% white, 14% Hispanic, 12% Black, and 7% other races. People from different income levels participated.
- Key finding: Adults living in neighborhoods with more tree coverage showed lower stress markers in their blood and body. The relationship was strongest for white and Hispanic adults and those with higher incomes. Physical activity was the main reason trees helped—more trees meant people exercised more, which lowered stress.
- What it means for you: If you live in an area with few trees, planting more trees or spending time in green spaces might help reduce your stress levels, especially if it encourages you to walk or exercise outdoors. However, this study shows the benefit may not work the same way for everyone, suggesting other neighborhood factors also affect stress.
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at information from many people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. The team used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a large government health study that tracks Americans’ health. They measured how much tree coverage existed around where people lived using satellite images and maps. They also measured stress in people’s bodies by looking at specific markers in their blood and body measurements—things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation that show how stressed a body is over time.
The researchers compared neighborhoods with different amounts of trees and looked at whether people with more trees nearby had lower stress markers. They also checked whether this relationship was different for people of different races, ethnicities, and income levels. They examined whether exercise and physical activity explained why trees might help reduce stress.
This approach matters because it uses real-world data from a large, representative group of Americans rather than a small lab study. By looking at actual neighborhoods and actual people, the findings are more likely to apply to real life. The study also looked at whether benefits were the same for everyone, which is important because health interventions don’t always work equally for all groups.
This study has both strengths and limitations. Strengths include the large sample size (over 40,000 people) and use of actual neighborhood data from satellite images. The study included diverse racial and ethnic groups. However, because it’s cross-sectional, we can’t prove that trees cause lower stress—only that they’re connected. People who choose to live in tree-filled neighborhoods might already be healthier or less stressed. The study measured stress at one point in time, so we don’t know if benefits last long-term. The researchers couldn’t measure all possible neighborhood factors that might affect stress.
What the Results Show
The main finding was clear: adults living in neighborhoods with more tree coverage had lower stress markers in their bodies. This connection was strongest for non-Hispanic white adults and Hispanic adults, and for people with higher incomes. Surprisingly, the connection wasn’t as clear for non-Hispanic Black adults or people with lower incomes, even though these groups often live in more stressful neighborhoods.
The study found that physical activity was the main reason trees helped reduce stress. Here’s how it worked: more trees in a neighborhood meant people were more likely to exercise and be physically active, and being more active was connected to lower stress markers. This suggests that trees help by encouraging people to move their bodies more, not just by being nice to look at.
The researchers also found that over 80% of American adults live in neighborhoods that don’t have enough trees. The recommended amount is 30% tree coverage, but most neighborhoods fall short of this goal. This means there’s a lot of room for improvement in most American communities.
The study revealed important differences between groups. The stress-reducing benefits of trees were clearer for white and Hispanic adults than for Black adults. Similarly, people with higher incomes showed stronger benefits from trees than people with lower incomes. This doesn’t mean trees don’t help lower-income or Black communities—it might mean that other neighborhood stressors (like crime, pollution, or lack of safe spaces) are so strong that trees alone can’t overcome them.
This research builds on growing evidence that neighborhoods affect our health and stress levels. Previous studies suggested that green spaces are good for mental health, but this study is one of the first to look at whether benefits are the same across different racial, ethnic, and income groups. The finding that physical activity is the main pathway matches what other research has shown—that exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress.
This study has several important limitations. First, it’s cross-sectional, meaning we can’t prove that trees cause lower stress—only that they’re connected. People who choose to live in tree-filled neighborhoods might already be healthier or less stressed for other reasons. Second, the study measured stress at only one point in time, so we don’t know if benefits last months or years. Third, the researchers couldn’t measure all possible factors that affect stress in neighborhoods, like crime rates, air pollution, or access to healthy food. Fourth, the study relied on satellite images to measure trees, which might not perfectly reflect what people actually experience. Finally, the study couldn’t explain why the benefits appeared stronger for some racial and ethnic groups than others—this needs more research.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, communities should consider planting more trees in neighborhoods, especially in areas that currently have very few. For individuals, spending time in tree-filled parks or green spaces and using them as motivation to exercise may help reduce stress. However, this study suggests that trees alone may not be enough for neighborhoods facing multiple stressors—other improvements like safer streets, cleaner air, and better access to resources are also important. Confidence level: Moderate. This is good evidence that trees are connected to lower stress, but more research is needed to prove trees directly cause stress reduction.
Everyone can benefit from more trees in their neighborhood, but this study is especially relevant for city planners and community leaders deciding where to invest in green spaces. People who exercise outdoors may see the most benefit. However, people living in neighborhoods with multiple stressors shouldn’t expect trees alone to solve stress problems—broader neighborhood improvements are also needed. This research doesn’t suggest that any group should be excluded from tree-planting efforts.
Benefits from increased physical activity can appear within weeks to months, but stress reduction from neighborhood changes typically takes longer. You might notice improved mood and energy from exercising in green spaces within a few weeks, but measurable changes in stress markers in your blood could take several months of regular activity.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track outdoor exercise time in green spaces weekly. Measure: minutes spent exercising in parks or tree-filled areas per week. Goal: gradually increase from current baseline to 150 minutes per week of moderate activity in outdoor green spaces.
- Use the app to find nearby parks and tree-covered areas, then set reminders to visit them for walks, runs, or outdoor activities. Create a weekly goal to spend time exercising in green spaces, and log each visit. Share your outdoor activity with friends for accountability.
- Track monthly trends in outdoor green space exercise time and correlate with self-reported stress levels or mood ratings. Set seasonal goals (more outdoor time in good weather months). Monitor whether increased time in green spaces is associated with improved sleep, mood, or energy levels over 3-6 months.
This study shows a connection between trees and lower stress levels but doesn’t prove that trees directly cause stress reduction. This research is observational and cannot account for all factors affecting stress in neighborhoods. If you’re experiencing high stress or stress-related health problems, consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice. This information is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. The findings may not apply equally to all communities or individuals. Always discuss major lifestyle or health changes with your doctor.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.