The Best Tree for Combating Air Pollution, New Research: Research indicates that the Yew tree is the most effective type of plant for combating air pollution. According to the study, this tree's small and needle-like leaves can effectively filter out harmful particles in the air.
In various urban landscaping projects, these trees are often used, especially those whose leaves are shed during the autumn season. This happens to coincide with the time when air pollution is at its worst in towns and cities.
Therefore, scientists have focused on evergreen trees that can contribute to purifying the air throughout the year, especially during the winter season. Researchers from the Global Centre for Clean Air Research in a British county, Surrey, planted 10 evergreen trees on one side of a London highway where approximately 80,000 vehicles pass daily.
The scientists aimed to determine which trees are most effective at absorbing pollution and which ones are better at depositing particles on the ground during rainfall. It was initially thought that trees with rough surfaces and fine branches would capture more particles, but the results did not support this hypothesis.
The most effective leaves were found to be needle-shaped. Such leaves were found in Japanese cedar and Lawson's cypress. Other trees included in the study are Viburnum, White Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Dwarf Pine, Chinese Juniper, and Japanese Holly.