Tree Equity 101: Why Bay Area Neighborhoods Need Trees to Thrive

The next time you run errands or stroll between neighborhoods, pause to notice the trees. Where are they plentiful, and where are they scarce? Who benefits from their cooling shade, and who must contend with the heat? These everyday details hint at a much bigger story. Trees add ambiance to many settings, but they’re more than just easy on the eyes. They play essential roles in helping Bay Area communities thrive. Here at POST, we believe that everyone deserves ample access to green spaces. That’s why we’re praising two important conservation concepts: tree equity and urban forestry. 

New to tree equity? I was too. Here’s what some of Canopy’s Teen Urban Foresters had to share about it:

Partner Spotlight: Canopy

How can we build a greener, more equitable Bay Area? It starts with listening to one another, sharing knowledge, and growing partnerships rooted in community. In early September at Stanford University, POST will participate in Planting Hope: an extraordinary day of collaboration and learning. Led by our respected colleagues at Canopy, organizations from across the region are coming together to focus on the future of urban and community forestry. 

Over the years, POST has learned so much from Canopy. Their work centers on the belief that everyone—regardless of zip code—deserves access to the life-giving benefits of trees. From youth programs that build the next generation of environmental stewards, to community planting days and science-based urban forestry strategies, Canopy models how to do inclusive, collaborative work grounded in local knowledge. Their leadership continues to shape how we think about preserving green space in our shared region.

Urban Forestry for the Win

If you’ve been following POST for a while, you know that we are passionate about trees and their ecosystems. Our stewardship work often focuses on forest health in open spaces and working landscapes. Think restoring redwood groves, improving wildfire resilience, and protecting critical habitats. But in bustling cities and towns, caring for trees looks a little different. That’s where urban forestry comes in: the practice of planting, maintaining, and planning for greenery in built environments. Healthy urban forests are essential for cooler neighborhoods, cleaner air, and stronger communities. 

Our partners at Canopy lead the way with their Teen Urban Foresters (TUFs) program. Among its participants are diverse high school students from East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park. During their paid, hands-on internships, participants — aka TUFs — improve their neighborhoods and gain confidence. They also benefit from hands-on learning, picking up industry skills related to tree planting and care alongside certified arborists. 

Last month, a group of TUF’s came to our offices to learn more about land trusts and forest health from the experts on our team. As the day wound to a close, I got the chance to interview a few of these budding experts about their experiences. 

Minding the Green Gap

Have you ever heard of the green gap? Unfortunately, this whimsical-sounding term doesn’t refer to the space in your fridge where the veggies should be or the empty insides of your wallet after you buy too many succulents. Instead, it refers to something far more heavy and serious; that is, the unequal access different communities have to parks and trees. 

Learning about the green gap made my colleagues and me curious. How do these dynamics play out in neighborhoods near POST’s Palo Alto headquarters? We combined information from the US Census Bureau and the CAL FIRE Urban Tree Cover Finder to see what we could find. Turns out, our corner of the Bay Area is no exception to the trend: Wealthier neighborhoods tend to have more trees, while lower-income areas often have fewer.

• East Palo Alto and North Fair Oaks—both with median household incomes just over $100,000—have the lowest tree canopy cover, around 12%.
• Palo Alto and Menlo Park, where incomes range from $184,000 to over $200,000, have more tree canopy cover, averaging 18-25%.
• At the top end, Atherton, with the region’s highest incomes ($250,000+), has the most tree canopy cover at nearly 47%.

If you find these numbers dispiriting, you’re not alone. That’s where tree equity comes in.

What Is Tree Equity?

Tree equity is a term for a value that POST and Canopy agree on. It’s the idea that all people in every community deserve access to the benefits trees provide, like cleaner air, cooler temperatures, and improved mental and physical health. In many urban areas, wealthier neighborhoods have more tree cover. Meanwhile, lower-income communities and communities of color often face hotter, more polluted environments with fewer green spaces. Tree equity aims to correct that imbalance by prioritizing tree planting and care in the places that need it most, ensuring everyone can enjoy the shade, beauty, and life-supporting power of trees.

Outdoors for All

In wrapping up, it’s easy to see how important it is for everyone to have access to trees! They bring so much joy and beauty to our parks, trails, and neighborhoods, enriching the quality of our lives. My colleagues at POST are doing great work to protect and connect these natural spaces, creating a network of regional trails and open areas where everyone can unwind and enjoy nature. As for conservationists like me, my charge is clear. Let’s keep spreading the word about tree equity and work together to make our communities greener and happier for everyone.