Snow-covered urban park in winter with diverse trees, cityscape in background symbolizing cleaner air

Breathe Easier: How Urban Greenery Cleans Your Winter Air

Beau Callahan in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the surprising power of urban trees in combating winter air pollution and how strategic planting can make a difference."

In urban environments, air quality is a growing concern, especially with the concentration of harmful pollutants during winter. Particulate matter (PM), a mix of liquid and solid particles, poses a significant threat to respiratory health. As temperatures drop, increased emissions from heating and traffic combine with unfavorable weather conditions, leading to elevated levels of PM in the air.

Fortunately, nature provides a solution: vegetation. Trees and shrubs act as biological filters, trapping pollutants and cleaning the air. While the effectiveness of plants during the growing season is well-documented, their role in winter, when PM concentrations are highest, is less understood. This leads to a crucial question, Can urban greenery truly help us breathe easier during the coldest months?

Recent research from Environmental Science and Pollution Research explores the ability of evergreen and deciduous trees to accumulate PM and trace elements (TE) during winter. The study focuses on three species: Taxus baccata (Common Yew), Pinus nigra (Black Pine), and Carpinus betulus (Common Hornbeam), assessing their potential to improve air quality in urban settings.

Which Trees Work Best for Winter Air Purification?

Snow-covered urban park in winter with diverse trees, cityscape in background symbolizing cleaner air

The study investigated how effectively different tree species capture PM and TEs during winter. Researchers measured the amount of PM and TEs accumulated on the foliage of Taxus baccata, Pinus nigra, and Carpinus betulus. The findings revealed significant differences in their pollutant accumulation capabilities.

Black Pine (Pinus nigra) stood out for accumulating the highest amount of PM on its foliage. Common Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) accumulated the most trace elements on its leaves. Most of the PM found on the plant foliage consisted of large-sized particles (10-100 µm), primarily deposited on the surface of the foliage. These results highlight how specific tree species can act as effective natural filters, even in the challenging winter environment.

Black Pine (Pinus nigra): Best for overall PM accumulation.
Common Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus): Best for trace element accumulation in leaves.
Large PM Particles (10-100 µm): Most effectively captured on foliage surface.

The research also examined the concentrations of four trace elements (Ni, Pb, Cd, and Sb) and found higher concentrations in the PM accumulated on foliage. In contrast, the plant tissue had higher concentrations of three other trace elements (Zn, Cr, and Mg). The trace elements were present in all PM size fractions and were evenly distributed between surface PM (SPM) and in-wax PM (wPM), indicating that plants capture and retain a range of pollutants, integrating them into their structures.

Planting for a Cleaner Future

The study’s results offer valuable insights for urban planning and landscaping. By strategically selecting tree species, cities can enhance their air purification efforts, even during winter. Prioritizing tolerant conifer species and deciduous trees that retain foliage throughout the winter can maximize the removal of pollutants from the air. As urban areas continue to grow, incorporating these natural solutions becomes increasingly vital for protecting public health and creating more sustainable environments.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s11356-018-3628-0, Alternate LINK

Title: Removal Of Particulate Matter And Trace Elements From Ambient Air By Urban Greenery In The Winter Season

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Arkadiusz Przybysz, Gayane Nersisyan, Stanisław Waldemar Gawroński

Published: 2018-11-07

Everything You Need To Know

What is Particulate Matter (PM) and why is it significant in the context of this research?

In the context of winter air quality, Particulate Matter (PM) refers to a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, originating from sources like heating emissions and traffic. PM poses a significant threat to respiratory health due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs. This article highlights the role of urban greenery, specifically trees, in capturing and reducing PM levels, thereby improving air quality and protecting public health during the winter months when PM concentrations are typically at their highest.

Which trees work best for capturing pollutants, according to the research?

Black Pine (Pinus nigra) has been found to be the most effective species for accumulating the highest amount of Particulate Matter (PM) on its foliage. Common Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is particularly good at accumulating trace elements on its leaves. The article highlights that the research measured the amount of PM and trace elements accumulated on the foliage of Taxus baccata, Pinus nigra, and Carpinus betulus, which provided the study's findings.

What are trace elements, and how do they relate to the study's findings?

Trace elements (TE) in the context of this research refer to various chemical elements found in Particulate Matter (PM) that are captured by trees. The study examined four trace elements: Ni, Pb, Cd, and Sb. The research also discovered that certain trace elements, like Zn, Cr, and Mg, are found in higher concentrations within the plant tissue. The presence of these elements in PM emphasizes the ability of urban greenery to capture and retain a range of pollutants, showcasing their role as natural air purifiers.

How can the research findings be applied to urban planning and landscaping?

The research underscores the importance of strategically selecting tree species to improve air quality, especially during winter. Prioritizing trees like Black Pine (Pinus nigra), which are effective at accumulating Particulate Matter (PM), and Common Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), which excel at accumulating trace elements, can significantly enhance air purification. These findings offer insights for urban planning and landscaping, demonstrating how the thoughtful selection of tree species can help protect public health and create more sustainable urban environments.

What is the main focus of the study, and why is it important for urban environments?

The study focuses on the accumulation of Particulate Matter (PM) and trace elements (TE) on tree foliage during the winter. The findings provide valuable data that can be used in urban planning and landscaping to improve winter air quality. By understanding how different tree species accumulate pollutants, city planners can make informed decisions about which trees to plant to maximize air purification efforts, contributing to healthier and more sustainable urban environments. This is particularly important as urban areas face increased pollution levels.