5 good reasons to plant trees now

Introduction

You have heard that planting trees is good for the environment, that it is a good method for allowing your business to become more environmentally responsible.

You are not alone.. It is an increasingly popular method for small and medium-sized businesses. Whether by planting trees near your business, at home or by using a tree planting service by an organization: it is easy to apply, concrete and calculable.

Will planting trees save us from climate disaster?

Of course not, but it's a hell of a helping hand. *Attention, some organizations plant trees to be cut down later. This is not good for the environment at all.

Still not sure?

According to the Arbour Day Foundation, planting a tree is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do for your environment and community.

The benefits of planting a tree are often overlooked or taken for granted, so here are 6 reasons to motivate yourself to fight the climate crisis by planting a tree today:

5 good reasons to plant trees

1. Provide freshness.
2. Sequestering carbon dioxide.
3. Creating habitats for wildlife.
4. Improving your living environment
5. Reducing flood risks

Reason 1: Provide freshness

The first reason to plant trees is because they provide shade. This reason is especially true for urban areas as shade helps protect people from the sun's heat. Think of the hot summer heat waves. It also lowers the temperature, making it more comfortable for people to stay outside during the day.

This is an important advantage for people who do not have an air conditioning system and even for those who do, as they will be able to save on electricity costs. The shade provides a cooler environment where people can gather outside, walk around without necessarily using the car with the air conditioning on.

This improves air quality and helps keep people who are sensitive to heat healthy. Fewer cars, less pollution, more freshness, more healthy people and more urban forestry. It is quite impressive what the shade of a tree can bring in terms of benefits in an urban ecosystem.

Reason 2: Sequester carbon dioxide

I don't surprise anyone when I mention that we have way too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and that it's harmful to the environment. If yes, welcome to the 21st century!

One way to sequester carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is to plant more trees. Carbon sequestration (also called “carbon capture”) is an important part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

They absorb carbon dioxide and store it in their trunks instead of emitting it into the atmosphere. So trees are a great way to improve air quality.

Photosynthesis is a process that only plants are capable of and which consists in using the sun's energy to transform water and carbon dioxide in sugar (basic tree food) and in oxygen.

The concept of carbon sequestration by trees has been recognized for some time now, but the interest of citizens and businesses in contributing to the climate crisis is fairly recent and growing at a rapid pace.

Our environmental partner Quebec CO2 compensation allows several Quebec companies, including Accolades, to remove an average of 0.182 kg of CO2 for the lifetime of a tree planted in the ground.

Reason 3: Create wildlife habitats

Trees also provide wildlife habitat that helps maintain biodiversity in urban areas. The more trees there are in an area, the more birds and other animals there are.

As urban areas expand and natural habitats become scarce, trees provide a haven for wildlife. This is especially true in cities with large parks and open spaces like Montreal and Quebec City.

In Canada, more than 80% of the population lives in urban areas. In 1950, it was 69%. With more people living in urban areas, we need to make sure there is enough space for wildlife. Trees can ensure habitat conservation and help maintain biodiversity in these areas.

Reason 4: Improve your living environment

Planting trees is a great way to improve the quality of life for people in urban areas.

It also reduces electricity consumption and bills for buildings that need cooling systems for their air conditioning.

Trees are natural shields for walkers who find themselves in rain and snow. This is useful for snow gusts during our Quebec winters.

They also serve to reduce ambient noises such as cars, public transport, public transport, construction, outdoor music, etc. The dense foliage of the trees forms a barrier to counter the background noise of traffic.

Reason 5: Reduce flood risks

Trees serve as a flood buffer by absorbing the impact of precipitation, which minimizes the amount of water that reaches nearby rivers and streams. The roots absorb groundwater that would otherwise flow into waterways during heavy rains, reducing the risk of flooding downstream.

They help reduce the evaporation of water from the ground and prevent erosion by keeping the soil in place. It also helps control runoff.

The amount of water that trees use for growth and respiration is called perspiration. When plants release water vapor through their leaves, they release heat, which cools them. This process is known as evaporative cooling and it helps to regulate the temperature of the plant. Water vapor in the air reduces humidity levels, which decreases the ability of water to evaporate from surfaces such as soil or concrete (Bouma et al., 2018).

This reduction in evaporation helps maintain a constant level of humidity in the air so that less wind is needed to dry out surfaces.

Again, this causes temperatures that are more comfortable for humans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the benefits of tree planting are plentiful. They provide us with oxygen and shade. Trees are good for our environment because they reduce air pollution and absorb carbon dioxide. They also contribute to supporting biodiversity by providing shelter for animals and a better living environment for humans, in addition to reducing the risk of floods.

With all the benefits that come from planting trees, why not plant a tree today!

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