Chainsaw massacre or environmental stewardship?

A spirit of concern for the future of our environment.

Trees have a life cycle and will eventually die. What that is exactly can be hard to determine. It can be upsetting to watch a seemingly healthy tree get removed – and often it is. There are times when mature trees are cut down for no good reason and without a plan for replanting.  The cities are growing fast.  Promotion for responsible use and protection of the future natural environment is a concern for all. 

Trees sustain life on earth.

Woody plants serve many benefits. One New Zealand native tree planted is the equivalent of removing 6kg of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year. Our most significant trees stay protected because of their particular botanical, heritage, amenity, landscape, cultural, ecological, or environmental values. Arboricultural work on these trees can not happen without approval.

However, there are many reasons for tree removal. Often it is the last resort. Trees are commonly removed where new construction requires removal. Some trees can have a negative impact on health (pollen), or in the environment, they live (crowding native species).

Worldwide we are more supportive of the role trees have to sustain life on earth. Well-considered future thinking that involves growth and development should also consider impacts to the planet’s ecosystem.

Environmental stewardship.

Arborists can play a significant role in environmental stewardship. Undertaking the job of cutting them down, arborists are often tree lovers, on the front line of protecting trees, with concern for the future of the environment. There are various approaches to reach a desirable, sustainable, environmentally friendly outcome. Trees cut down can provide a legacy.

Tree owners must make informed decisions about their trees and various tree care options.

Replanting of not just one, but many trees as part of a replanting plan are growing.  If you are unable to replant, there is an option to support an organisation that can do it for you. There are international, national, and local tree regeneration organisations like One Tree Planted, 10Tree, Million Meters, Trees That Count, and local community planting and weed action groups helping re-establish forests in suitable locations.  

There is also the option to support community groups by volunteering at a local community planting event that happens throughout the year.

Restoring the balance.

As a business in the business of trees, Think Trees Northland do as much as we can to balance our ‘tree’ credits and green up our business. We also support, by way of donation, organisations like Keep New Zealand Beautiful and attend local community planting days as corporate volunteers.

Felled trees can help the environment when harvested trees get replaced with new plantings (even if these are not on the same site). Trees planted today will be those distinguished of the future. However, cities need trees for a range of environmental and health benefits. It makes sense to be aware of how fast we are losing trees. A balance between the removal of mature trees and replanting would be beneficial. 

Life is not black and white. At times the end justifies the means. You try and do the right thing. 

Various tree care options, schemes to manage existing established urban trees, and investing in replanting projects can balance the loss of trees that get removed; to protect our green heritage for future generations.

Think Trees: promoting the importance of trees and improving our livelihood, so everybody grows.