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Trees grow property values, but only up to a point. This meta-analysis suggests that property-level tree cover at about 30%, and county-level tree cover at roughly 38% appear to be the sweet spot; as canopy increases beyond these levels, value added levels off and declines.

Shyamani D. Siriwardena, Kevin J. Boyle, Thomas P. Holmes, Eric Wiseman

2016

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Currently, tree cover in the original study areas was about 14%, on average, around or near study properties. The empirical results, therefore suggest under investment of tree cover on private property from the perspective of individual property owners and from a societal perspective. The findings also have implications for community forest programs regarding planting trees and protection of mature trees to address potential changes in tree abundance, species diversity and stand age due to development and climate change.

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