Health and wellbeing
Social exclusion is manifesting as a key problem in the 21st century, and particular groups in our society are vulnerable such as people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, our senior citizens, and those with economic disadvantages. But there is a lot of evidence14 that the urban forest and green spaces provide opportunities for many positive social interactions in the local community, encouraging people to get outdoors, meet up, talk, exercise and engage with culture and play.
Urban green space is increasingly recognised as enabling city residents to live healthier, happier lives. - World Health Organisation, 2016
Providing opportunities for getting people together improves social wellbeing, and develops attachment to our neighbourhoods. 83% more individuals engage in social activity in green spaces as opposed to sparsely vegetated or concreted landscapes, encouraging community cohesion15. As a consequence, this can lower crime levels16, shown particularly in areas of deprivation17, 18 building stronger and more resilient communities. Even reported domestic violence levels have been evidenced lower in greener neighbourhoods.
Many people are passionate about trees, and volunteer a lifetime of hours to support the management and maintenance of our urban forest. Friends Groups have popped up across Coventry associated with local parks, organising a schedule of activities and community awareness events. Our “tree ambassadors”, the Coventry Tree Warden Network (CTWN)19 are often seen as the “eyes” for the local authorities regarding the health of trees, their protection, campaigning and raising the profile of tree value with local residents. The Council’s Park Rangers have an active role in community engagement and articulating the value of the urban forest through every project they undertake. Outdoor volunteering is also related to physical activity and self-reported health and depressive symptoms, especially among mid-life volunteers20. Without our incredible volunteers, Coventry would not be as recognisable as a “green” urban landscape that we want to live, work and play in.
Trees and our heritage
Our urban trees also play an important role in remembrance and heritage, contributing to a sense of place and enabling reflection and reminiscence. Coventry has numerous records of Ancient and Veteran Trees which many of us are fascinated with, reflecting the value we place on the heritage of our trees and landscapes.
At Coombe Country Park, there is a large concentration of Veteran and Ancient Trees, including a Common Lime and several Oaks with over 5m girth which are over 300 years old, and four of Britain’s largest True Service Trees.
Many sources of information and advice exist on Ancient and Veteran Trees, such as collated data by The Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Forum through the `Ancient Tree Hunt’ which aims to promote conservation and appreciation of Britain’s internationally important old trees21. The Conservation Foundation and Ancient Yew Group have been promoting a `UK Yew Guardian Project’ which aims to record the largest Yews of Britain22.
Veteran and Ancient Trees and Woodlands warrant special protection and management, with data collected in accordance with Natural England’s Specialist Survey Method (SSM).
Memorial trees also form an important part of the heritage of the urban forest, and provide special opportunities for contemplation and support for families and friends. At War Memorial Park, Centenary Field, there are 800 memorial trees dedicated to those who lost their lives in conflict. The ‘Missing Faces’ Lottery-funded project has connected photographs of the 264 people killed during WW1 with a memorial plaque and tree in the park. This has been driven by local historian, Trevor Harkin and the Friends of War Memorial Park.
Trees and Public Health
As more responsibility has been placed on local authorities, through the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to improve public health and reduce health inequalities, our urban forests could be the medication required.
There is growing evidence to suggest that physical and mental health can be improved with greater access to green space and trees. Contact with trees and nature impacts positively on public health from birth to death, with a correlation between those living closest to greener areas and reduced levels of mortality and obesity (and related illnesses). In Japan, Shinrin-yoku or “spending more time with trees” has been a national health programme since 1982. This “forest bathing” has scientifically been proven to improve wellbeing.23 Trees emit oils called Phytoncides which boost our immune system, which are shown to lower heart disease and blood pressure plus reducing stress hormones.
In London, for the most deprived groups of our communities, the number of deaths are halved in areas with the greenest space4. It must though be recognised health inequalities are the result of complex interactions between physical, social and economic environments, and not just income.
The quality and scale of our urban forest, such as the density of tree canopy in an urban park affects restorative recovery24. Larger spaces of urban forest such as parks may contribute more positive health impacts than small neighbourhood spaces25. It has been evidenced that the larger the park or green space, the greater the observed health benefits26, 27, though attention to the character and quality of the space and urban forest is important.28
- Higher average birth weight29
- Higher attention levels30
- Less frustration when walking31
- Improves surgery recovery32
- Benefits for those with Alzheimer's33
Trees and mental health
Urban forests can help improve mental well-being by encouraging social activity and interaction.
In today’s high tech, urbanised societies, stress is one of the most important factors contributing to ill health34. In the UK, people who live within 500 metres of accessible green space are 24% more likely to meet 30 minutes of exercise levels of physical activity435, 36, with the added benefits of meeting others37. People exercising outdoors, or in “escape facilities” such as urban forests38, report higher feelings of wellbeing, and lower feelings of stress or anxiety, than those doing the same activity indoors
The impact of the urban forest on our mental health has been equated in the capital: London’s ‘parks are estimated to avoid £370m of costs incurred each year as a result of mental health’39. Urban trees and the landscapes in which they grow can reduce isolation, important for all but in particular new parents and their children and senior citizens. Social cohesion can in turn reduce stress and depression40 and indirectly boost social wellbeing41.
Neighbourhood social ties and support networks are stronger around greener neighbourhood spaces42.
Trees and ecotherapy
The urban forest plays a vital role in recovery from operations or emotional trauma.
Managing mental illness or recovering from operations, can now be prescribed through ecotherapy43 and green prescribing44, and the urban forest needs to be recognised as playing a huge role in this. There is evidence that some indicators of psychological stress, including blood pressure and heart rate, are reduced when people are exposed to visual and auditory stimuli associated with nature45, 46. Views of trees can reduce the amount of analgesics needed by patients post-surgery and the number of days in hospital47 which is important when planning tree planting of new hospitals, respite centres and care homes.
‘90% of people who took part in MIND green exercise activities said that the combination of nature and exercise is most important in determining how they feel’48. There is emerging evidence that engaging with the urban forest and green spaces benefits those living with conditions such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), depression and dementia49, by improving cognitive functioning and reducing anxiety. Children with ADD experienced fewer problems if they had access to green space for play and the “greener” the setting, the less severe their symptoms50.
Trees and active people
Physical and mental illnesses associated with sedentary urban lifestyles are an increasing economic and social burden and inactivity is the ‘fourth largest risk factor for mortality globally’ (WHO, 2010). If an urban space is welcoming and attractive, which our urban trees contribute to, then people are more encouraged to exercise. Campaigns such as #parkrun and #thisgirlcan, social media and fitness apps have seen the rise of our tree-lined streets and urban parks being used in this way. In Birmingham, the ‘Be Active’ project made a further step with voucher incentives, redeemable at high-street shops, to increase physical activity51. The “Magic Mile” in Longford Park is promoted as ‘cycle, skate, run, jog, walk, crawl, however you wish’ and happens every month. The “Green Gym” run by the Trust for Conservation Volunteers helps people to take exercise outdoors while participating in activities that improve the environment such as maintaining our urban forests or allotments. 9 out of 10 participants with poor mental or physical health show an improvement within seven months52. ‘Green gyms’ are now available throughout Coventry.
Trees and air pollution
Globally, air pollution is the biggest environmental risk to health and trees can provide a solution in reducing this threat. Where you live, how you commute and where you work are all key factors in levels of exposure to pollution.
Government estimates suggest that 40,000 deaths per year are attributed to air pollution53.
A 2007 report by Asthma UK and the Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust, highlighted Birmingham as having the highest hospital admissions for asthma in the UK and tackling air pollution has since become a priority issue for the city54. Air pollution is generally highest in deprived urban areas55 with exposure to high concentrations proven to exacerbate respiratory problems, heart disease and cancer56. Street trees have been associated with a lower prevalence of asthma in children57 and their contributing role in alleviating poor air quality needs to be recognised to direct the planning and design of our cities and towns58.
Policy EM7 Air Quality:
1. Development proposals will require the submission of an air quality assessment, as they may lead to a significant deterioration in local air quality resulting in unacceptable effects on human health, local amenity or the natural environment.
Trees and climate change
The urban forest can help us adapt to the effects of climate change. Trees have a cooling effect in our town and cities; creating shade and reducing air temperatures through evaporation. The built forms and hard surfacing of our cities and towns store heat and contribute to the urban heat island effect. Heat waves during the summer pose significant health risks to urban populations59. During the 2003 heat wave, a temperature difference between urban and rural areas of up to 10°C was recorded for London60 and estimates suggest that 40% of the 600 excess deaths in London were due to the urban heat island effect. Trees can provide a solution in regulating urban temperatures and making our streets a more comfortable place to live.
Policy EM1 Planning for Climate Change:
1. All development is required to be designed to be resilient to, and adapt to the future impacts of climate change, through the inclusion of the following adaptation measures: b) optimising the use of multi-functional green infrastructure, including tree planting for urban cooling, local flood risk management and shading.
Trees and land contamination
Trees can combat land contamination and make our soils clean again. In 2008, the Forestry Commission recognised the economic costs associated with hospital admissions and premature deaths due to contaminated land at £85.2 million61. Tree planting on previously developed land to remediate contaminants, has been proven to reduce the health risk to those in contact with contaminated urban spaces.
