Trees are good friends

Tue, Nov 24, 2009

National Tree Week runs from 25th November until 6 December.http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/?q=node/858

Launched in 1975, this traditionally marks the beginning of the winter tree planting season which is great news for exploring how you can add new trees to your garden. A winter flowering cherry is a wonderful specimen for this time of year providing an attractive white blossom from November to March.http://www.treesdirect.co.uk/shop/christmas/winter-flowering-cherry

Trees are a vital factor for combating climate change since they absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and wood, both of which are very useful for humans and other animals.http://www.carbonfootprint.com/plantingtrees.html

Planting trees also has the potential to help deal with increased flooding that is expected in parts of the UK as a result of climate change. The Forestry Commission has just published a scientific survey that suggests that the creation of new forests and woodlands across the UK will not only help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent but could protect communities at risk of flooding.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6930091.ece

In the UK we understand the beauty and value of preserving our trees but in pooorer coutries the value of felled trees and the land they grow on is a much more attractive proposition.The devastating effects of deforestation means that:

* 15 million hectares of tropical forests are lost every year – an area larger than the size of England

* de-forestation releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than all the cars, planes and ships put together

* healthy rainforests absorb up to 10% of man made carbon emissions every year

* Rainforests will practically disappear in 50 years if no action is taken NOW

Help preserve the rainforests by visitinghttp://www.rainforestsos.org/

This post was written by:

Debbie - who has written 872 posts on My Climate Change Garden.

I am not an experienced gardener - more of an enthusiastic amateur who learns by trial and error and who is keen to "manage" the effects of shifting weather patterns on my garden. Writing this blog is my passion and it has evolved over 12 years to inspire engagement with climate change outside our back doors, in our personal gardens and green spaces. My mission is to fertilise and expand this platform to grow a community of global gardeners communicating about the effects of climate change on our plants and exploring how each individual can make small changes in our lives to become more sustainable. The future of our gardens and #OurPlanet is in our hands - please plant your own seeds for our collective sustainable future.

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1 Comments For This Post

Elephant's Eye Says:
November 26th, 2009 at 8:19 pm

Wait. The blame goes both ways. The poor fell their trees, because the rich buy them. Sometimes the rich fell the poor’s trees, and steal them. And subsistence farming, by clearing patches of forests, works with a very low population density. Even in a rich/first world country there is greenfield development, draining wetlands, and building housing on fertile farmland. It is hard to find Forest Stewardship approved furniture or timber for building. (rant! sorry)

Elephant's Eye Says:
November 26th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Wait. The blame goes both ways. The poor fell their trees, because the rich buy them. Sometimes the rich fell the poor’s trees, and steal them. And subsistence farming, by clearing patches of forests, works with a very low population density. Even in a rich/first world country there is greenfield development, draining wetlands, and building housing on fertile farmland. It is hard to find Forest Stewardship approved furniture or timber for building. (rant! sorry)

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