Remember when being called a “tree hugger” was pejorative? Not anymore. We have learned the benefits trees have in reducing carbon in this time of climate crisis. While carbon pollution is the science of tree benefits, they offer many other benefits worth recognizing.
Perhaps the most obvious is their cooling effect. Any of us with these shade producers around our homes and apartments knows the value of shade. The big maple at the front of my house affects my second-floor bedroom with its massive canopy, reducing sun impact on the east side. Trees on the south side of my property yield shade in summer and sun in winter when the leaves have shed.
Are you a walker? I’m six blocks from Main Street and often walk downtown to the Y or retail services. Two things happen on my walk in the summer. I notice where trees are lacking because of the heat penetrating. And heading into denser neighborhoods, I also feel the higher air temperature. There is more pavement from roads and parking. Buildings are closer together with less green space. While I recognize and support the increase in density in the urban core, I also believe it’s critically important to have trees in these spaces as well.
I would like to see tree planting strengthened and incorporated into our Master Planning process. We see the benefit of trees in the redevelopment of the Storrs Street shopping plaza. And it’s the redevelopment process that enables our city planners to require more planting. While they aren’t producing much shade yet, the quality of the planting is likely to make a big difference as they grow.
Our old neighborhoods have lost many trees as they age or suffer from disease or are removed by utility companies. For those who are able, it’s worth planting some trees to replace many of those lost. They start producing notable shade within five years if planted properly and cared for.
My suggestion is that those of us who are “tree huggers” consider the civic organizations we belong to and whether they might help by planting trees or have an interest in raising money toward the city tree trust fund, which is dedicated to the continuation of the shade tree program.
We are in the middle of a glorious fall foliage season. To ensure this unique benefit of New Hampshire and New England, replacing the lost trees and ensuring new plantings is our best path forward to cleaner air, cooler temperatures and a calmer living environment in our community.
Zib Corell lives in Concord.