Why Trees Are a Green Prescription for Mental Health
Though they are beautiful, trees are much more than a landscape decoration. Trees are an essential, hard-working, must-have resource in our world.
This is especially true as we seek to tackle the growing health crisis in America, where one in five adults experiences mental illness — a troubling trend that affects people of all backgrounds.¹
What if trees could be a powerful solution?
The science behind nature's medicine
The evidence is both intuitive and scientific. The Arbor Day Foundation’s Canopy Report reveals that 85% of Americans consider time in nature “a reset button” for their mind and soul.² And science backs this up. Studies show that increasing urban green space by just 1% leads to a measurable drop in stress cortisol levels.³ Hospital patients who have a view of trees from their room have shorter recovery times than those who don’t.⁴ Children who live in tree-filled areas have been shown to have a lower risk of mental health issues later in life.³ Trees aren’t just a luxury — they’re a powerful, preventative medicine for generation after generation.
Unfortunately, access to these benefits is often unequal.
More than half of Americans have to drive just to reach a park or green space, and many underserved communities have disproportionately lower tree canopy coverage, depriving them of nature’s free health benefits.² That’s why organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation prioritize planting trees where they’re needed most. Each tree planted promotes public health, one neighborhood at a time.
The community connection
While a single tree can make a difference, groups of trees can be transformational. They turn empty lots into gathering places and busy streets into welcoming, shaded walkways where kids play, neighbors connect, and communities come together. It’s no wonder that 91% of Americans recognize trees are vital to community health and wellbeing.²
Of course, the benefits of trees extend beyond mental-health-boosting connection. Trees can boost property values, make local businesses areas more attractive to shoppers, and help address environmental challenges like urban heat and flooding. Simply put, more trees mean stronger, healthier neighborhoods for everyone.
Making change take root
The Arbor Day Foundation is working in every state to ensure nature’s benefits reach all communities. That said, real change happens when more people get involved. So, how can you take action?
Go for a walk in nature. A practice known as “forest bathing” includes fully immersing yourself in nature and engaging nearly all of your senses within a forest. The method originated in Japan and is proven to have such a positive effect on psychological health, many doctors are now prescribing struggling patients with a walk in the woods. If you don’t have access to a forest, head to your local park, nature preserve, or arboretum.
Plant a tree. With National Arbor Day just around the corner, this is the perfect time to make a lasting impact. Many communities offer free trees around Arbor Day, or you can purchase one online.
Clean up a park. Trees need clean surroundings in order to thrive. Organizing a park cleanup not only supports urban green spaces but also strengthens community ties and gives you more time outdoors.
Inspire others. By creating a community around nature, you can help inspire others to become environmental stewards. You can start a green club, lead community nature walks, or get involved with a tree planting organization.
Use your voice and vote. Environmental policies shape the future of our neighborhoods. Join a city tree board, speak at local meetings, or advocate for more green spaces where they’re needed most.
The bottom line? Trees aren’t just nice to have; they’re a necessity. The next time anxiety creeps in or stress mounts, remember: nature's prescription is waiting. And by helping expand access to green spaces, you're growing a healthier future for everyone.
Sources
1 National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.) Mental Health by the Numbers. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
2 Arbor Day Foundation. (n.d.) The Canopy Report. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://www.arborday.org/campaigns-projects/canopy-report
3 Catharine Ward Thompson, Jenny Roe, Peter Aspinall, Richard Mitchell, Angela Clow, David Miller. (n.d.) More green space is linked to less stress in deprived communities: Evidence from salivary cortisol pattern. Landscape and Urban Planning. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204611003665
4 Guidolin K, Jung F, Hunter S, Yan H, Englesakis M, Verderber S, Chadi S, Quereshy F. (April 17, 2024) The Influence of Exposure to Nature on Inpatient Hospital Stays: A Scoping Review. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11080386/#:~:text=This%20study%20found%20that%20patients,patients%20exposed%20to%20a%20wall.
