Area of Basingstoke with higher air pollution due to lack of trees

The map showcases inequalities in urban tree cover across the UK, revealing which areas have a lower 'tree equity' score.

The tree equity score calculates how the benefits of trees are reaching communities living on low incomes as well as people disproportionately affected by environmental hazards including pollution.

READ MORE: Rotary Club sends three generators to Ukraine to support those in need

The borough ranks at 92 out of 100 - an average taken from the neighbourhoods in the borough.

The score is marked from zero to 100. The lower the number, the greater the priority for trees to be planted in the area. A score of 100 means the area meets the 'minimum standard' for the number of trees in the area. 

The worst area in Basingstoke for tree equity is Houndmills, which has the highest priority for trees to be planted with a score of 65 out of 100.

Chineham, Kempshott, Lychpit, Hatch Warren, Black Dam, Winklebury, Popley, Sherfield Park and Beggarwood all scored 100, meeting the minimum standard for the amount of trees in the area.

SEE ALSO: Meet the new owners of a much-loved coffee shop in Basingstoke town centre

The map uses tree canopy data from Google and six indicators including climate, health, and socioeconomic to generate the tree equity score.

The score indicates that in areas with lower tree cover, there is a link between poor air quality and higher levels of pollution.

The Tree Equity Score was first launched by American Forests in the US in 2021 and recently launched in a partnership between American Forests, the Woodland Trust, and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.

To view your neighbourhood tree equity score, visit: uk.treeequityscore.org