Looking for a way to give a little back to nature? Plant a tree. It’s no coincidence that the tree is such a ubiquitous symbol in environmental imagery; trees are, well, quite simply, very good for the planet.
Plant a tree for climate change. Trees are one of the planet’s strongest natural defenses against carbon accumulation and greenhouse gases. Not only do trees provide much-needed oxygen, but they also actually use the carbon we create. Trees, like all plant matter, absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store it through a process called carbon sequestration. All plants indeed, all living organisms store carbon, but trees, due primarily to their size, are among the most effective.
Some trees are especially well suited for the job. The most effective carbon sinks of the tree world are those which either grow quickly or live longest unfortunately, there aren’t many that do both. Some common examples include the Red Pine, the White Pine, the Douglas Fir, the Black Walnut, and the Bald Cypress.
Plant a tree for logging. Looking for a summer job? Apply to be a tree-planter. Companies in the pulp-and-paper business employ scads of physically fit, outdoorsy people every summer to compensate or prepare for industry harvesting.
Plant a tree for habitat destruction. In the city or in the country, trees around your home offer crucial shelter from both the heat and the cold, and provide protection against erosion. Trees both dead and living are also a vital source of food, habitat, and protection for flora and fauna of all kinds. Cut one down and you’re removing a fundamental member of your local ecosystem.
