Tree Equity Score: The U.S. Needs 522 Million More Urban Trees

As climate change intensifies the urban heat island effect, poorer neighborhoods bear the brunt of tree canopy inequity.

2 minute read

July 28, 2021, 12:00 PM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Pioneer Square, Seattle

DeymosHR / Shutterstock

"There are certain visual clues that identify the socioeconomic status of an urban neighborhood," writes Natalie Bicknell, "and in the United States one of these is the presence — or absence — of trees." In order to achieve equity in tree canopy coverage, U.S. cities should plant 522 million trees in urban areas, according to a new tool called the Tree Equity Score (TES). "Combining GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping data with information provided by the United States census on population density, demographics of residents, health trends, and urban heat indexes, the TES uses quantitative analysis to determine whether locations have enough trees to provide optimal health, economic and climate benefits to residents."

An assessment of TES data shows that "[o]n average, American neighborhoods home to a majority of people of color have 33% less tree canopy than majority White neighborhoods," while "neighborhoods with 90% or more of their residents living in poverty have 41% less tree canopy than communities with only 10% or less of the population in poverty." The recent heat wave experienced by the Pacific Northwest brought out the reality of these numbers as close to 100 people in Washington and Oregon died from heat-related causes. "In the Canadian province of British Columbia, the heatwave is thought to have contributed to over 700 sudden deaths in a single week." Meanwhile, the U.S. is losing trees: "approximately one tree is lost for every two trees planted or naturally regenerated in urban areas," which will lead to a decline in tree canopy of 8.3% by 2060.

"The path to planting 522 million trees in urban areas will be a long one, but reframing how trees are viewed in cities might accelerate the process," writes Bicknell. Along with tools like the TES and the National Tree Benefit Calculator (NTBC), "considering trees to be core urban infrastructure and treating them as such could lead to a revaluation of trees in urban settings, provoking cities to invest more in planting and caring for them."

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 in The Urbanist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City