Urban Trees Linked to Lower Heart Disease Risk Than Grass in Landmark Study

Urban trees may offer unexpected cardiovascular benefits over grass and other greenery, according to a study analyzing street-level imagery and health records of nearly 90,000 women.

Researchers found that higher visible tree coverage correlates with a 4% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk, while grass coverage is associated with a 6% increase in risk.

The study, which examined data from 89,000 participants in the Nurses' Health Study, used deep learning algorithms to analyze over 350 million street-view images.

This method allowed researchers to assess tree, grass, and other greenery coverage within 500 meters of participants' homes. The analysis was linked to 18 years of health records, providing a longitudinal view of cardiovascular outcomes.

Peter James, one of the study’s authors, emphasized the importance of urban forestry initiatives. He said:

"Our findings suggest public health interventions should prioritize the preservation and planting of tree canopies in neighborhoods."

Potential explanations for grass’s negative association include pesticide use, air-quality impacts from mowing, and lower cooling/air filtration capacity compared to trees.

However, the study’s limitations include snapshot street-view data, lack of work/residential mobility tracking, and exclusion of private green spaces like backyard gardens.

The study cohort is limited to female, predominantly white participants, reducing generalizability. Researchers caution that the findings reflect correlation, not causation, and further studies are needed to explore mechanisms and broader applicability.

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