Natural Gas Leaks Responsible for the Death of Trees in Urban Areas, According to a New Study

A new study conducted in Chelsea, Massachusetts is the first to quantify the effects of natural gas leaks on the health of urban trees.

1 minute read

May 31, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By Lee Flannery @leecflannery


Sierra Nevada Drought

keldridge / Shutterstock

"A new study finds dying trees are 30 times more likely to have been exposed to methane-contaminated soil, confirming long-held suspicions that gas leaks kill plants," reports Phil McKenna, sharing the findings of a new study published last month in the journal Environmental Pollution. This study is the first to measure the effects of natural gas leaks on the health of trees in urban settings. 

Researchers quantified the concentration of oxygen and methane in the soil surrounding 84 dead or dying trees as well as nearly 100 healthy trees in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a predominantly low-income Latino community. McKenna draws a connection between the high rate of COVID-19 in Chelsea and the research conducted by Harvard University researchers which found increased death COVID-19 death rates to be caused by small increases in long-term exposure to air pollution. 

Chelsea, an urban heat island, has fewer trees and vegetation as well as consequentially hotter summer temperatures than surrounding communities. The study presented even further motivation to repair the leaking gas pipelines.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 in Inside Climate News

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.