Urban Trees Cut Mortality Rates by 10%, Yet Israel Continues Large-Scale Tree Felling

A new study from Northwestern University reveals that increasing tree canopy in urban neighborhoods can reduce overall mortality by about 10%. The research, conducted over 11 years in Chicago, analyzed over 220,000 deaths alongside satellite data on tree coverage, temperature, and socio-economic factors. It found that expanding tree canopy led to significant declines in deaths from mental illness (16%), respiratory diseases (11%), cardiovascular conditions (9%), and musculoskeletal problems (9%). Trees improve public health by lowering stress hormones, filtering air pollution, reducing heat exposure, and encouraging physical activity.

The study also highlighted stark disparities within cities: poorer neighborhoods suffer from higher summer temperatures, greater tree loss, and mortality rates 2.5 times higher than wealthier areas. Even a modest annual increase of 0.03% in tree coverage, equivalent to planting 14,000 trees per year in Chicago, could prevent 105 premature deaths annually, with 55% of benefits accruing to disadvantaged communities.

Despite these findings, Israel continues to cut down urban trees at a high rate. Between 2014 and 2023, over 760,000 trees were legally felled in Israeli cities, including 144,230 in 2024 alone. This occurs even as the government declared a National Urban Cooling Plan in 2023 to combat rising heat due to climate change, a plan that has yet to be funded or implemented. A recent State Comptroller report found that 90% of urban areas in Israel lack adequate shade, exacerbating heat risks for residents.

Compounding the problem, enforcement against illegal tree cutting is currently stalled. Since early 2023, the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has not authorized inspectors to investigate or prosecute tree-cutting offenses, effectively halting enforcement for eight months. The government plans to transfer enforcement authority to the Ministry of Agriculture’s unit, which has faced criticism in past audits. Ben-Gvir stated the issue is under interministerial review and that updates will be provided when decisions are made.

With climate models predicting more frequent and intense heat waves in Israel by 2100, the ongoing loss of urban trees poses a growing public health threat. The study underscores the urgent need to preserve mature trees and expand urban canopy as a cost-effective preventive health measure and climate adaptation strategy.