Trillion Trees
Trees play an important role in our lives. They are vital to our livelihood and our environment.
The benefits that trees have on our environment and our everyday lives are seemingly endless. They provide the oxygen we breathe, improve water quality, lower hot temperatures, reduce energy use, air pollution and noise, boost human health, provide a habitat for wildlife…the list could go on! So, how many additional trees would it take to see even more benefits? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has conducted a study that declares an effective way to combat global warming would be to plant more trees – one trillion more, to be exact. Our planet is currently home to 3 trillion live trees, and the study has found that we have room for 1 trillion more. That’s equivalent to a forest the size of the United States.
Closer to Home
An important discussion for green industry professionals centers around the recent decline of the tree canopy ratio, which refers to the two dimensional perspective of canopy coverage from a bird’s eye view. This ratio of positive environmental forces versus negative environmental forces quantifies the current trends on tree cover. For example, forces that positively influence tree cover are new plantings, regeneration and crown growth. In order to have a positive canopy ratio, the aforementioned forces must be equal to or greater than the negative. Forces that decrease cover, such as tree removal, have currently overpowered those positive forces and subsequently caused the canopy ratio to decline.
With a declining ratio also comes decreased environmental and human health benefits associated with trees. To reverse this downward trend, enhancing planting and regeneration rates are essential. While raising new tree establishment rates, the current losses must be simultaneously reduced in order to see a true flip in the ratio. A multitude of tree canopy assessment studies have been conducted by SavATree’s own Consulting Group in order to get an estimated amount of existing canopy in various cities and municipalities, as well as the amount of canopy that could theoretically be added.
What is tree canopy and why is it important?
The tree canopy consists of branches, stems, and leaves (or needles) attached to the tree’s trunk. The larger the canopy, the more impactful the tree is on the environment. Most tree industry professionals will agree that the ratio decline is dismaying, but not out of our hands. It is possible to reverse this decline and begin seeing an enormous impact on the earth.
“Increasing tree canopy requires a localized approach,” noted Michael Galvin, Director of the Consulting Group. “The more forested areas start to expand if left alone, and the urbanized areas will require targeted plantings.” Planting more trees seems like an obvious fix for the ratio decline. But while it may be the most obvious, it is not the only factor in play. Caring for our current trees has a critical role in reversing the decline.
“Preserving tree canopy and increasing the ratio goes hand in hand with proper tree care,” explains Galvin. “To reach our goal, we must take special care of the current trees that we do have.” One trillion newly planted trees remains a compelling vision!
How can I help?
There are a number of things we can do to give back to our environment, and to our trees.
Start planting!
You can help the canopy ratio just by planting trees on your own property! Managing these trees as they grow and providing the proper care is crucial to their overall health and structure and will enhance their overall impact on the environment.
Become a local volunteer.
Your town is always in need of volunteers. A great way to start giving back is by getting involved with a local organization that focuses on tree planting initiatives.
Take good care of your trees.
While planting new trees is an effective way to fight the canopy ratio decline, taking extra special care of our current trees is equally as important and will help minimize mortality of trees today.
