How do Americans view trees, green space, and sustainability in 2025? Find out in this exclusive look at the Arbor Day Foundation’s second Canopy Report, based on a nationally representative Harris Poll. The co-authors of the Canopy Report, Mike Kuhl and Jeff Salem joined the 1t.org US Collaborative to dive into the results and explore the public’s evolving attitudes and expectations and what they mean for your work. View the full slide deck here and watch the recording below.
We are pleased to share the summary and reflections of the Canopy Report, originally published by Dan Lambe, below.
For more than five decades at the Arbor Day Foundation, we’ve seen trees uplift communities, strengthen ecosystems, and make our planet a healthier and more livable home for us all. Last year in our first edition of the Canopy Report, we found most Americans shared our profound affinity for trees. This year’s follow up report revealed that appreciation runs deeper in many ways.
Below are our major takeaways from the Foundation’s second annual Canopy Report. To dig into the results yourself, visit arborday.org/canopyreportand download the report. The Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree for every download.
Life is better with trees.
Americans look to trees to help them feel good, with 87% of people agreeing trees and green spaces have a noticeable, positive impact on their mental well-being. They recognize their role in improving physical health as well — nine in 10 Americans believe trees are a public health tool. An astonishing 95% of people said they see the value of trees in their communities for their ability to clean air, provide shade, and provide privacy.
Americans crave more access to trees.
Consistent from our 2024 report, half of Americans still need to get in a car and drive in order to access their nearest park or green space. Many Americans (73%) are left wishing they had more trees where they live. In fact, nine in 10 Americans agreed that cities and urban areas should be built with trees and green spaces in mind. When asked why they want to be around trees, many people circled back to how green space makes them feel. Eighty-four percent said spending time in nature brings them hope and optimism about the future.
Know-how is a barrier to planting.
While most Americans know that trees make neighborhoods more livable, few have taken the steps to lay roots of their own. Just 19% of people said they have planted a tree in the last year. Interestingly, the results discovered it isn’t a lack of desire holding people back — it’s a lack of knowledge. 85% percent of people who haven’t planted a tree said they’d be more likely to do so if they knew what kind of tree to plant, how to plant it, or had access to free tree planting resources. Americans care about planting the right trees the right way, but they just aren’t confident in their own abilities. Even accounting for the potential challenges of a tree like damage or mess, 88% of people still think the benefits of trees outweigh the drawbacks.
Trees are on the frontlines of natural disasters.
People are feeling the effects of severe weather, and they’re looking to trees to help. Six in 10 people said they have personally experienced a natural disaster where they live, ranging from extreme heat and wildfires to hurricanes and tornadoes. A similar percentage of the public said they’ve seen those natural disasters cause significant impacts to their local tree canopy. Americans also recognized trees are part of making communities stronger after natural disasters, with nine in 10 people agreeing replanting trees after a natural disaster is an important part of recovery.
Americans want businesses to make a difference too.
While most Americans (89%) feel intrinsically motivated to make sustainable, eco-conscious choices, it’s clear they don’t want to go at it alone. The data shows they’re willing to back businesses that step up to drive impactful environmental change, with half of Americans saying they actively seek out information about a company’s environmental commitments before making a purchase. Additionally, 85% of people said businesses should be planting trees or engaging in reforestation.
The entire Canopy Report is affirming for the future focused work of the Arbor Day Foundation. We encourage you to dig into the results and reflect on how you can engage with trees to make a difference in your world.
Visit arborday.org/canopyreport to view the full report. The Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in a forest of greatest need for every download.