All trees are not made equal

A go to solution for a host of environmental and social issues is tree plantation. Carbon dioxide sequestration, ground water remediation, air purification, energy conservation, soil preservation, health and well-being, fighting crime, habitat for wildlife, wood, food, are many of the benefits that trees provide us.

• The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources has released a new guide to carbon planting. Short report and Full guide.
• Research says that aquatic plants are better for phyto remediation than terrestrial plants.
• For energy conservation, be it warming or cooling, it is advised to use local species that thrive better in the environment you’d like to place it in for more efficacy. Some trees hold their leaves better than the others. The choice of trees also depends on the kind of shade or wind resistance you need.
• Ash trees thrive in polluted air, benefit from warmer springs and cope well with lower rainfall.

Depending on the purpose, different trees serve different purposes. If you don’t understand the kind of trees that exist in your local area, you may approach local tree foundations, biodiversity experts or taxonomy professors. For example, the Seed Bank Project in Delhi, India is not just a conservation project but also something everyone could use to raise their awareness about local trees. It’s not just about planting trees, it is about what you plant and how you plant it.