Again this year, as they always do, SVCA is having their annual tree seedling sale.
Here’s some fun math to explain why each of us should be sending in our tree purchase forms[1].
The CO2emission production in Canada is about 21 metric tons per person per year[2]. The average tree will sequester about 3.7 tons of CO2e over a 60-year lifetime [3]. The average survival rate of trees in a suburban setting is about 40%.
Do a little multiplication and addition and we come up with this interesting fact: at birth, each of us need to plant 789 trees to remain carbon neutral. That’s not as unrealistic as it sounds. If we drive less, use electric or fuel efficient vehicles, eat less meat, and buy less stuff, maybe we can reduce our personal CO2e to 15 metric tons per year – now we’re down to just 600 trees.If we choose fast-growing hardwoods and put some extra care into their survival, maybe we’re down to just 400 trees. One acre of land can easily support that many, not to mention the habitat that will be created.
In Saugeen Shores, we’ve lost much of our prime carbon-sequestering tree cover due to the emerald ash borer. Tree planting isn’t a solution to climate change or unsustainable lifestyles, but it helps. So if you have land, even just a small yard in town, get together with some neighbours and purchase some seedlings. At about $1.25 per tree, it’s one of the best investments in the future you can make.
As a friend recently told me, the best time to plant a tree is when you are young; the second best time is right now. Checkout reference 3 for easy info on carbon sequestering by various tree species.
Rob Shave
Southampton
References:
1) http://www.svca.on.ca/downloads/2019_Tree_Purchase_Form.pdf
1) http://www.svca.on.ca/downloads/2019_Tree_Purchase_Form.pdf
