Donovan, G. H., Michael, Y. L., Butry, D. T., Sullivan, A. D., & Chase, J. M. (2011). Urban trees and the risk of poor birth outcomes. Health & Place, 17, 390-393. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2010.11.004
A number of recent studies have examined associations between green space and birth outcomes. Donovan et al. specifically chose to look for a relationship between the amount of tree-canopy and birth weight because the number of trees in an area is something that can be more easily modified then green space per se (such as adding parks). In this study of 5295 births in Portland, Oregon, US in 2006 and 2007, the authors found that increased tree canopy within 50m of a mother's home and distance to private open space were correlated with a reduced risk of a baby being born small for its gestational age at delivery, However, they found no effect on risk of pre-term birth.
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