Cherishing trees today so they make it to tomorrow
Our neck of the Northwest is blessed with an abundance of magnificent trees. Besides being beautiful, our majestic trees are hard workers. Whether towering evergreens or enormous Bigleaf maples, golden chinquapins or vine maples, alders or serviceberries, our local and regional trees are home to millions of critters, from birds and mammals to insects (most of which are beneficial or benign). Every single mature deciduous tree produces enough oxygen each year to keep at least ten people breathing. It takes each forested acre an entire year to absorb the amount of carbon dioxide produced by 26,000 miles’ worth of auto emissions (which might just mean one or two cars).
Obviously, healthy trees are better at the vital work of taking in carbon dioxide and producing oxygen than sickly ones. Sadly, the recent years of drought and heat and rising levels of air and water pollution are stressing our precious trees. Trees that take centuries to reach maturity usually take a long time to fail if attacked by drought and disease, but it only takes an hour to cut one down.
Before removing (aka killing) a mature tree, please consider carefully. If a tree is too close to a home or structure, it may well need to be pruned by an arborist (not some random yard worker with a chain saw). In some cases, damaged or dying trees do need to come down but it’s past time to stop thinking that with such abundance, losing a few more won’t matter. We know that trees make a huge contribution in keeping our planetary atmosphere healthy. Thus, it’s baffling when trees are casually cut down to improve or create “better views” as if a healthy tree or treeline isn’t a worthy view in itself.
It’s equally misguided when trees are placed where they can’t possibly thrive. Trees planted too close to roofs and windows are doomed as soon as they start to stretch up and out. Trees planted under power lines are fated to be topped and lopped; in such places, stick with shrubs. Trees planted along streets and sidewalks are often bashed and broken and finally cut down even if their roots aren’t (yet) buckling pavement.
Too many garden trees also fail or are removed well before maturity. Sometimes it’s because we cling to unrealistic choices; if I really want a dogwood in a particular spot, I may keep planting one there even if they always die. (Hint: it’s not the nursery’s fault.) Sometimes we can’t imagine how large the tree will be in a few years, despite the label info. Sometimes we don’t look up; when digging a planting hole, unless you can see the sky instead of big branches, think again. This is especially important when planting a potentially majestic tree that can reach the size of a house.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plant glorious giants; we certainly should, if there’s room for them to mature, whether to 40 feet or 80 or more. Planting big trees is a gift to tomorrow rather than instant gratification but it’s definitely a worthy investment. However, people with smaller lots should look for trees or large shrubs that mature between 18-30 feet high and wide.
Safeguarding the wellbeing of mature trees is the responsibility of everyone who likes to breathe. If you’re thinking about removing a tree, please get a professional opinion. No reputable arborist will offer to top your trees(!). Get several opinions and always choose the crew that is most concerned with tree health. Because ultimately, it’s our health too.
Contact Ann Lovejoy at 413 Madrona Way NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 or visit Ann’s blog at http://www.loghouseplants.com/blogs/greengardening/ and leave a question/comment.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Planting and pruning trees for long-term survival and benefits
