Science

The Power of Trees

The U.S. Forest Service wants to prove the immediate, measurable effects of tree loss on human health.

Several studies have suggested that tree-filled settings can reduce stress or boost mental health. Now, new research is going further: Late last month, a study published in the journal Environmental Pollution suggested trees prevent 850 deaths a year and save billions in health care costs. 

And that isn’t even the starkest link the U.S. Forest Service has made between trees and human health.