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Are Pine chips good for my yard?

We know that it’s very common for arborists to recommend chipping wood on site and scattering the chips to retain the nutrients in the treatment area. However, if you are chipping pine, it’s important to not perform these procedures in the early spring through summer months as this may unintentionally attract bark beetles to the remaining pine trees on site. Best to do this in the late fall and winter months. Freshly cut pine releases volatiles that will attract bark beetles to the site. The beetles may not colonize the woodchips, but they will look for host trees nearby.

My neighbor cut down a mature tree, isn’t that bad for the environment?

Although it is upsetting to see a mature tree removed in an urban setting, it’s important to keep our focus on the big picture. The benefits of trees in urban settings are undeniable from lowering temperatures to a reduction in crime, we all benefit from having LEGACY trees in our neighborhoods. However, trees do have a limited life expectancy and no matter how attached we may become to having that tree on our block, it is unreasonable to expect it to be permanent. The average tree has a lifespan that is maybe 30% longer than the average human. This means that we can expect to see trees meet their end in our lifetime or our children’s lifetime. It’s not uncommon for a client to tell me that they are sad to see a tree go because their parent planted it. The harsh reality is this, as trees get old, they begin to show signs of decay and risk of failure. Most often, when an arborist is called to remove a legacy tree, it is because of the risk that tree now poses to the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, when a property owner is faced with the tough decision to have a legacy tree removed, they are often confronted by neighbors with some pretty harsh judgements. From the environmental impacts to neighborhood property values, people are quick to point out how this decision effects the community. I always feel bad for the homeowner in these situations as I liken it to having to put down a family pet. Only, when someone has to put down a pet, it’s unheard of to have a neighbor come and judge them harshly for this, especially during this period of grief. We need to approach this time with compassion and understanding.

As for the environmental impacts of removing a legacy tree, here are some facts that we should consider. First and foremost, that legacy tree HAS been a champion for the environment. It has sequestered nearly a ton of CO2 emissions over it’s lifetime. It’s work is appreciated. The amount of potential future carbon sequestering that tree might offer is minimal compared to the potential carbon footprint of having to repair a damaged home or destroyed automobile. Let alone the potential loss of life the tree might pose.

For a little perspective, the average passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons per year. A silver maple averaging 55 year lifespan can sequester 11.36 tons of CO2 (more than 11 times the average tree) in it’s lifetime. This means that keeping a tree for an additional 10 years will not even offset a typical passenger vehicles emissions for 3 months (mere days if an average tree rather than silver maple).

Planting replacement trees can be beneficial to the local community but we can take a look at much better solutions for the environment than championing that one legacy tree.

1. Buy local. (purchasing transported goods is a large contributor to global emissions)

2. Drive less. (Riding a bicycle, carpooling or using public transport can impact emissions thousands of times more than a single tree over a human lifespan)

3. Support activism to stop deforestation. (It requires about 730 trees to offset the carbon emissions of one person)

4. Convert to green energy consumption. (Fossil fuel consumption is the largest contributor to climate change)

In the meantime, let’s all try to meet our neighbors with compassion in their moments of grief and ask ourselves if we’re doing our best to help.