How can we help take care of trees

How can we help take care of trees

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Trees are one of the most precious natural resources we have and, despite this, it is also one of the most mistreated daily. The trees help us in many ways, from producing the oxygen we breathe, to help alleviate the effects of climate change and the stove effect on the large urban nuclei.

Therefore, it is essential that, both public institutions and particular citizens, we commit ourselves to their protection and defense. If you want to know How can we help take care of treeskeep reading ecology and we tell you a lot of effective ways to get it.

Why it is important to take care of trees

It is important to keep in mind that Trees are one of the main sources of oxygen that we have on our planet. Thanks to them, the presence of this gas in the atmosphere and CO2 decreasesmain cause of the greenhouse effect and, consequently, of climate change globally.

Only for these two benefits there are already sufficient reasons to Take care of the trees. However, its benefits go much further, although many times we are not aware of it. Trees are especially important to counteract the presence of pollutants in the atmosphere, which becomes essential in cities. In fact, it is the best form of overwhelmwhich will impact directly on the health of people and animals living in an urban core highly populated by trees.

Likewise, these same trees located in the urban nuclei protect us from heat and high temperatures in summer, so they are the best way to counteract the so -called stove effect, which occurs when heat penetrates asphalt and concrete structures and they end up becoming plaques that radiate heat during the night. Trees help avoid this effect, preventing heat islands and allowing temperatures to be more stable.

In this way, it is essential that they be carried out concrete actions that help take care of trees already existing, as well as to increase their presence in cities and deforested rural environments.

How can we help take care of trees - Why it is important to take care of trees

What can public administrations do to help take care of trees

Some of the actions to take care of trees which can be carried out from public authorities are the following:

Dedicate part of public budgets to take care of trees

It may seem very obvious, but it is not always done. Taking care of the trees, as well as expanding the existing forest mass costs money, and the only way to obtain that money is to allocate a part of public budgets to this action.

Reforestation plans

In addition to taking care of the trees already present, a part of that public budget must be used for the execution of reforestation plans that allow the present forest mass, both inside and outside the cities.

In this other article we explain what reforestation and its importance are.

Develop a good forestry and fire prevention plan

Another of the most important aspects when protecting trees is to avoid fires. This can only be done through a correct action in forestry and forest surveillance, as well as a prevention and action plan in case of fire that allows its rapid control and extinction.

Consult in this other ecology article see the consequences of a forest fire.

Plant native trees in the area

Another of the elements that have to take into account when carrying out reforestation plans (whether it is public or private organizations who execute them) is that they choose native trees in the area.

This, in addition to respecting the initial ecosystem, will allow to reduce expenditure at risk and maintenance, as well as increase the possibilities that the concrete tree grows and develops in a healthy and effective way. In this sense, it is essential to understand that, in the face of the aesthetic argument, the practical must prevail, which implies choosing trees that develop properly, and not only are they “beautiful”.

Approve and apply laws that protect trees and natural heritage

Another fundamental element that falls to public administration is to approve laws that protect trees in all possible areas, whether agricultural, livestock, industrial, urban or any other. A good example would be laws that more seriously sentence the actions of pythanmen in the mountains, as well as urban laws that guarantee that, a burned land, it cannot be buildable under any circumstances.

How can we help take care of trees at the particular level

Likewise, although public agencies play a great role in protecting trees and forests, citizens also have a lot of power thanks to our individual day -to -day actions. Some of the most important actions that we can carry out at the particular level to take care of the trees are the following:

Avoid fires in forest or fire risk

Most of the fires that are produced accidentally are due to barbecues, crystals and glass thrown to the ground or cigarette butts. In this sense, it is essential to avoid fires in areas where, in addition to being prohibited, it may be a risk of fire. So it is best to do barbecues only in areas enabled to do so, not leave waste in the soils of forests and fields, as well as not leaving cigarettes, much less without turning off at all.

Buy wood from sustainable plantations

Another way that citizens can take care of trees is through the purchase of wood that come from sustainable plantations. That is, they do not come from primary forests or places of doubtful origin. The best way to make sure this is so looking for the seal that certifies it.

Recycle paper and cardboard

On the other hand, paper and cardboard recycling helps reduce the demand for new wood with which to produce this material. Therefore, recycling the paper and cardboard that we use and is in good condition for this, we improve the health of forests and trees in general. Remember that these materials go to the blue container.

Consume less paper and cardboard

Recycle is a good way to protect trees. But if you manage to reduce your paper and cardboard consumption, you will prevent many lands from having to be intended for planting wood and paper planting, so your action will be even more effective.

Participate in reforestation programs

A very active and tangible way of caring for trees is to participate in reforestation activities. These activities are usually carried out by NGOs or programs of the public administration, which helps to be more enjoyable since they have all the necessary materials to carry them out. However, if you want to do individually or only with our friends and family, it is also an option.

Collaborate in organizations with reforestation programs

In the event that the field to plant trees is not what you want most, another option is to collaborate economically with organizations that do this work for you. Currently, there are different associations and NGOs that carry out this type of altruistic work. However, they need money with which to finance this type of activities. That is where the work of the anonymous citizen is indispensable.

Consume products of companies responsible with forests

This is, perhaps, one of the most powerful actions that citizens have to influence the health of trees, as well as almost any aspect that favors ecological activities by large companies. Imagine that you arrive at the supermarket and you have to choose between two products, and you know that one of them is made with an oil that has been planted in a land expressly deforested for it (for example palm oil from the Amazon region), while the other has been planted in a local terrain without having to deforest any hectare of forest for it. What do you think you better buy?

Another example of a product that is fashionable is wood and cork sunglasses, such as the ones we show you in this other article, which are totally ecological, reusable and recyclable, much better than planting wood in which it has been deforested or that some plastic.

Make responsible water use

Another aspect that helps take care of trees is the responsible use of water. Water is a much more scarce natural resource than it seems, due, precisely, to the great dependence we have of it. The trees need water to live, so, all the water you get save, will help to make a better use of it, favoring that those areas that need it can be irrigated since aquifers are in good condition.

Educate children to learn the value of trees

Another fundamental element to take care of trees is that the new generations are aware of how important they are. To do this, it is essential to show it to children since childhood through environmental education, which will form adults responsible and committed to the environment.

Press the municipalities protect and expand green areas

Although we have already talked about the actions that may carry out public administrations, citizens can ask them to implement them, as well as propose solutions that are later applied from public institutions. Although all political levels must collaborate, local administrations, with the figure of the City Council at the head, are the ones that are closest to citizens, allowing it to be easier to listen to us and take into consideration our requests in matters of protection and expansion of the presence of trees in our villages and cities.

How we can help take care of trees - How can we help take care of trees at the particular level

If you want to read more articles similar to How can we help take care of treeswe recommend that you enter our category of other ecology.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
Published in