The Role of Neighborhood Satisfaction in Urban Tree Planting and Survival: Insights from the EquiTree Program in San Antonio, Texas

Municipal urban tree planting programs play a critical role in enhancing environmental justice, yet the influence of residents’ neighborhood perceptions on program participation remains understudied. This study investigates the role of neighborhood satisfaction in tree planting decisions and long-term survival outcomes within the EquiTree program in the City of San Antonio, USA. Using survey data from 306 respondents and logistic regression models, we find that higher neighborhood satisfaction significantly increases both participation in San Antonio’s tree planting program and the likelihood of tree survival. While neighborhood and property tree canopy coverage influence initial participation, they do not significantly impact survival rates, suggesting that personal commitment and community sentiment play a stronger role in tree survival efforts. These findings underscore the importance of neighborhood environment and community-based engagement strategies, including resident education on tree care, to enhance participation and survival efforts.