Press Kit

Since the 1970s, there has been a 25 percent decline in tree canopy cover.  This is a dramatic trend that is costing cities billions of dollars.  Now, a number of major cities- including Washington, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles- have launched sizable tree-planting programs.  Moreover, in the face of record summer heats, planting trees could be the answer to global warming.  These articles from the Washington Post and Sacramento Bee describe how trees sequester carbon dioxide, reduce the power needed to cool homes and offices in the summer (less electricity means fewer greenhouse gasses spewing from power plants).  The planting of 50 million new trees in strategic locations could save about 12,5000 gigawatt hours of electricity in California each year.  That is equivalent to the juice generated by seven new large power plants or what is consumed by 683,000 homes each year.

Washington Post- Tree-Planting Drive Seeks to Bring a New Urban Cool (PDF)
Sacramento Bee- Shades of A Global Warming Fix (PDF)


In September 2006, United Airlines published an article lauding the many benefits of city trees in their in-flight Hemispheres Magazine.  Trees along the street, in residential yards and in parks, lower energy consumption through shade, reduce the need for (and cost of) stormwater management facilities, improve human mental and physical health, contribute to economic sustainability, and clean pollutants from the air.  One study recommends a minimum of 40 percent tree cover for most urban areas.

Save the Shade (PDF)



Trees are essential to the health and livability of our nation's cities and towns. Cleaner air, greener streets, and healthier neighborhoods are crucial to the prosperity of the American economy. But lasting progress won't come without changes in domestic policy. In response, the Alliance for Community Trees organized the first annual Green Infrastructure Summit and Urban Trees Forum. The two days of Hill meetings and discussions included the following expert witnesses:


Using Green Infrastructure to Enhance Highways (MP3)
Anne Canby, President, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership

Greening as a Catalyst for Neighborhood Stabilization (MP3)
Kevin Gillen, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business

Neighborhood Parks and Public Health (MP3)
Deborah Cohen, Senior Natural Scientist, RAND Corporation

Energy Conservation through Trees (MP3)
Zack Hill, Sr. Manager of Federal Government Affairs, Alliant Energy



In 2000, the USDA Forest Service's Office of Communications developed a campaign to inspire urban people to become involved in planting trees.  About $380,000 was invested.  Products included: market research, test messaging, a five-year communications plan, downloadable advertisements and PSAs, logos, and some selected media buys.

Community Trees Report (PDF)
Five Year Plan (PDF)



The University of Illinois has produced a great deal of research about the social benefits of trees.  In particular, see research summaries on the left hand side navigation:  "Canopy and Crime," "Neighbors & Nature," "Plants & Poverty," etc.  Their work has really focused in on the question of how trees and greenspace can help support healthier social behaviors in at-risk communities.  Several of the studies compared public housing developments in Chicago - finding that green spaces, trees, etc. help lower crime because they encourage more social interaction, increased social networks, and simply more eyes on the street.  

University of Illinois


The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has an Environmental Health program.  There are several links here where CDC notes the role of greenspace to Social Capital, Mental Health, and Children's Health & the Built Environment.

Centers for Disease Control






The University of Washington has research about how trees impact the economic health of retail districts, particularly those old main street areas that are often under-performing.  Consumers are willing to spend more when the physical environment is attractive - trees, benches, flowers etc.  This suggests that beautification and trees are a cost-effective tool for revitalizing abandoned and under-invested commercial districts in cities.

University of Washington
Urban Nature Benefits - Psychosocial Dimensions


This general publication includes research facts about the role of trees in cities.  

Local Government Commission (PDF)









Images care of the Urban Forest Project's initiative Design Times Square.  The Urban Forest Project brings 185 banners created by the world's most celebrated designers, artists, photographers and illustrators to New York's Times Square.  Each banner uses the form of the tree, or a metaphor for the tree, to make a powerful visual statement.  Following their display, (September 1- October 31, 2006) the banners will be recycled into tote bags and sold at auction, with proceeds going to scholarship and mentoring programs that benefit students of the visual arts.  For more information, visit: http://www.urbanforestproject.org

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The Shreveport Times

Shreveport, LA (October 25, 2006)- Residential and business development are welcome signs of growth for any community. But a word of caution: Don't overlook the importance of trees.

The Shreveport Times
by John Andrew Prime

Shreveport, LA (October 25, 2006)- With help from The Home Depot Foundation, Shreveport Green plans to plant 250 trees in the Martin Luther King Jr. neighborhood Friday and Saturday.

University City Review
by Jeane Parker, special to the UC Review

Philadelphia (October 25, 2006)- UC Green mobilized 150 volunteers to plant 40 new street trees on October 21 in the West Powelton neighborhood from North 40th to 42nd Streets. This event was one of more than 100 regreening efforts throughout the country during October, which has been declared NeighborWoods Month by the national nonprofit, the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). UC Green is a member of ACT's NeighborWoods Network.

The Advocate
by Amy Wold, staff writer

Landscaping with native plants involves more than just choosing between live oaks and cypress. On Saturday and Sundy, Baton Rouge Green will offer more than a hundred native species of trees and shrubs for sale during a fundraiser.

WANE- News 15

Fort Wayne, IN (October 24, 2006)- This month, cities across the country are becoming greener, and Fort Wayne is no exception. October is national NeighborWoods Month.

Des Moines Register
by Frank Vinluan, staff writer

Des Moines, IA (October 24, 2006)- You can't tell from the open space and new trees, but not so long ago the northern tip of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway was better known for overgrown brush and dumped junk.

Times-Picayune
by Sheila Grissett, East Jefferson bureau

New Orleans (October 21, 2006)- Politicians from Jefferson and Orleans sometimes have trouble working together to improve housing, drainage, and mass transit, but tree lovers from the two parishes have no problem crossing political boundries on behalf of the region's urban forest.

New Orleans CityBusiness
by CityBusiness staff report

New Orleans (October 20, 2006)- A few gardening gurus from Louisiana colleges are lending their green-thumb expertise to local musicians rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina.

The Journal Gazette
by Becky Manley

Fort Wayne, IN (October 15, 2006)- The sky was blue, the sun shined, and the air was crisp, making it a perfect day to plant a tree. The chilly air carried the sounds of shovels scooping dirt, feet stomping to compact soil, and the excited voices of kids. Tree Indiana organized the planting that began at Edsall and McCormick Avenues before volunteers both young and old dispersed throughout the Harvester neighborhood to plant 30 maple and pear trees.

Florida Times-Union
by Sandy Strickland, staff writer

Jacksonville, FL (October 14, 2006)- More than 100 volunteers are turning out to spruce up Bruce. The park, that is. Greenscape of Jacksonville is spearheading a projct to plant 71 new trees from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday Oct. 21, at Bruce Park in Arlington.

Indianapolis Star

Indianapolis, IN (October 9, 2006)- Students from IPS School 31 will be joining local politicians to plant a walnut tree tomorrow. The school, at 307 Lincoln Street on the Near Southside of Indianapolis, is smack in the middle of an area designated as in dire need of more trees.

Sacramento Bee

Sacramento (October 5, 2006)- Volunteers will plant trees i the Parkway Estates community Oct. 14, the Sacramento Tree Foundation has announced.

Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation

Philadelphia - October 1, 2006. UCGreen today announced that it will plant/maintain 20 trees as part of their Spruce Hill Fall Planting. This event is one of more than 100 regreening efforts throughout the country being promoted during October, which has been declared National NeighborWoods Month by the national nonprofit, the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). UCGreen is a member of ACT's NeighborWoods Network.

Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation

Philadelphia - October 1, 2006. UCGreen today announced that it will plant/maintain 40 trees as part of their West Powelton Fall Planting. This event is one of more than 100 regreening efforts throughout the country being promoted during October, which has been declared National NeighborWoods Month by the national nonprofit, the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). UCGreen is a member of ACT's NeighborWoods Network.

Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation

Ft. Collins, Colo. - October 1, 2006. Trees, Water & People today announced that it will plant/maintain 100 trees as part of their Poudre River Tree Maintenance. This event is one of more than 100 regreening efforts throughout the country being promoted during October, which has been declared National NeighborWoods Month by the national nonprofit, the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). Trees, Water & People is a member of ACT's NeighborWoods Network.

Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation

Salt Lake City - October 1, 2006. TreeUtah today announced that it will host the Start Seeing Trees Campaign. This event is one of more than 100 regreening efforts throughout the country being promoted during October, which has been declared National NeighborWoods Month by the national nonprofit, the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). TreeUtah is a member of ACT's NeighborWoods Network.

Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation

St. Paul, Minn. - October 1, 2006. Tree Trust today announced that it will plant/maintain 113 trees and engage 1,000 volunteers as part of their Headwaters Service Learning Project. This event is one of more than 100 regreening efforts throughout the country being promoted during October, which has been declared National NeighborWoods Month by the national nonprofit, the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). Tree Trust is a member of ACT's NeighborWoods Network.

Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation

Denver - October 1, 2006. The Park People today announced that it will plant/maintain 30 trees as part of their Tree Care in City Park. This event is one of more than 100 regreening efforts throughout the country being promoted during October, which has been declared National NeighborWoods Month by the national nonprofit, the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). The Park People is a member of ACT's NeighborWoods Network.

Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation

Los Angeles - October 1, 2006. TreePeople today announced that it will plant/maintain 300 trees as part of their Los Angeles Harbor Kickoff Planting. This event is one of more than 100 regreening efforts throughout the country being promoted during October, which has been declared National NeighborWoods Month by the national nonprofit, the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). TreePeople is a member of ACT's NeighborWoods Network.