How Long-Term Tree Cover Decline Influences Psychological Restoration, Place Attachment, and Governance Perceptions

Tree cover is declining in many urban and peri-urban regions, despite its critical importance for both human wellbeing and planetary health, yet there is limited understanding of how long-term canopy loss influences residents’ psychological wellbeing, attachment to place, and perceptions of environmental governance. Given the accelerating loss of urban tree canopy globally, understanding these relationships is essential for informing conservation, management, and public engagement strategies. This mixed methods study examined these relationships in the Puget Sound region of Washington State using two independent samples. First, a quantitative survey (n = 1532) of residents linked with change over 14 years of high-resolution tree canopy data around respondents’ homes, and second, qualitative surveys with 50 participants in the same region. Geographically weighted regression models showed that greater canopy decline was significantly associated with lower levels of psychological restoration (p = .004) and weaker place attachment (p < .001), after controlling for sociodemographic variables and local context. No significant relationship emerged between canopy decline and beliefs about environmental governance (p = .433). Qualitative findings provided insight into these patterns. Participants described tree loss as diminishing the sensory, aesthetic, and ecological qualities that support everyday restoration, and disrupting landscape features that carry cultural meaning. These emotional responses did not consistently influence governance beliefs, which were shaped more by perceptions of procedural fairness, development pressure, and understanding of management priorities. The findings illuminate how long-term tree canopy decline may affect psychological and place-based dimensions of human experience, while operating independently from institutional trust. As development intensifies across the region, planning approaches that prioritize tree retention and long-term canopy management may be essential for sustaining community wellbeing, strengthening place attachment, and supporting broader environmental goals.