Helga Fassbinder: City Trees





de Anne-Frank-kastanje

foto: helga fassbinder

 Trees and City Trees



....a famous urban tree: the chestnut tree of Anne Frank, a symbol of life and hope....
Photos of Anne-Frank's tree

Information about Anne Frank's tree....



Bäume in Städten


'Plants for People':

Trees increase the feeling of well-being

A study carried out by the American scientists Virginia I. Lohr and Caroline H. Pearson-Mims from the Departments of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture of the Washington State University proves that looking at trees has a positive effect on people.

Changes in the visual surrounding affect perception
The aim of the study was to compare the psychological and physiological perceptions of urban scenery with trees of different shapes, such as conic, globular and jutting out, with non-living objects. The general mood of the test persons was studied by using computer graphics that showed an urban scene, firstly without trees and secondly with single, different shapes of trees.

Result of the study
The participants showed more positive emotions, such as happiness, friendliness and assertiveness, and less negative emotions, such as sadness, fear and annoyance, whilst looking at the urban scenery with trees. The positive emotions were especially strengthened when looking at the computer graphic with the jutting out trees. No difference in blood pressures and temperatures were recorded.
In summary it must be said that the study impressively proves what significant role trees, independent of their shapes, play in an urban environment. They have the effect of a calming catalyst on people, especially those who live in urban areas, and contribute to their well-being and therefore better health. Because the positive effects were shown more by the trees with the jutting out shape, they should be used for landscaping in hospitals, job centres etc, because people in these situations will benefit most.


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