Look out your window. Can you see three trees?

That’s the first question of the 3-30-300 test — a standard that has become the go-to for solving a universal urban problem: Does this city have enough trees, and are they in the right place?

The 3-30-300 test is simple. Every home, school and office should have a view of at least three trees, be in a neighbourhood with 30% tree cover, and be within 300 metres of a park.

Interesting metric that has apparently made its way into city planning and urban design.

We currently live in Sandy, Utah.

• I can see 30–50 trees by turning my head, and many more if I move a bit.
• My census block apparently has 16% canopy, which is not 30% but apparently satisfies Tree Equity Score’s 15% target
• The nearest “true” park is quite far, but I’m easily within 300m of several giant grassy fields with sidewalks, bike paths, and playgrounds.

We previously lived in San Antonio, Texas. Thinking back to our house there, the answers would likely have been

• 5–10 trees
• 39% canopy
• We were surrounded by greenways, but again the nearest true park was probably a mile away or so.