Trees, well-being and urban greening.

Abstract Trees have a positive impact on human health and well-being through multiple services including carbon sequestration, timber production, places for recreation, shade to protect from heat and air purification. However, an estimated 15 billion trees are cut down each year (based on 2000-2015 trends), and the global number of trees has fallen by about 46% since the start of human civilization. This chapter outlines some examples of how trees benefit human health and well-being (e.g. promotion of physical activity, obesity prevention, and protection from air pollution), and shows why the role of trees in urban planning and their value as natural capital should be considered important to planetary health.