Trees are long-term investments that often outlive the people who plant them. And with , we now need to consider whether the trees we plant today will be able to withstand the changing conditions in our gardens over the next 30, 50 or even 100 years.
鈥淭hings are changing faster than the lifespan of trees,鈥� said Daniel Herms, an entomologist specializing in the resiliency of trees at the research branch of the Davey Tree Expert Co., a landscaping firm based in Kent, Ohio.
Over the next few decades, some trees will thrive and others won鈥檛, 鈥渄epending on traits that make them adapt to the changing climate,鈥� he said. Those changes
Even some iconic state trees are not considered resilient in their own states, Herms said. For example, California鈥檚 coastal redwoods 鈥渁re very dependent on the moisture that comes from fog, and that fog is being reduced.鈥�
Other state trees that are vulnerable to climate change in their state, although they could be resilient elsewhere, include, according to Herms:
鈥� 鈥侰olorado鈥檚 blue spruce 鈥� 鈥侷daho鈥檚 Western white pine 鈥� 鈥侻aine鈥檚 Eastern white pine 鈥� 鈥侻innesota鈥檚 red pine 鈥� 鈥侼evada鈥檚 single-leaf pinon 鈥� 鈥侼ew Hampshire鈥檚 white birch 鈥� 鈥侼ew Mexico鈥檚 pinon pine 鈥� 鈥侽regon鈥檚 Douglas fir 鈥� 鈥侾ennsylvania鈥檚 hemlock 鈥� 鈥係outh Dakota鈥檚 black hills spruce 鈥� 鈥俇tah鈥檚 blue spruce 鈥� 鈥俉est Virginia鈥檚 sugar maple
If you are growing a tree that has been deemed vulnerable in your area, there鈥檚 no need to replace it, he said.
鈥淚n most cases, it can continue to grow in the residential landscape with a proactive healthcare program,鈥� he said. That means making conditions as favorable as possible by providing proper irrigation, insect and disease protection and treatment, and a good nutrition program, all of which help trees tolerate stress better. A credentialed, certified arborist can help.
When selecting new trees, gardeners and landscapers should choose species that are well-adapted not only to the current environment but that can adapt to the new one they鈥檒l experience in their lifetime, Herms said.
This is especially important since .
In addition to producing oxygen, trees provide shade and natural cooling during the summer, 鈥淭hey also reduce stormwater runoff and sequester and store carbon, so they can contribute to climate goals as we get closer to net zero,鈥� Herms said, using a term defined by the U.N. as the goal of 鈥渃utting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests.鈥�
Arbor Day, which falls nationally this Friday (April 28) in the U.S., is the annual observance of the importance of planting trees. The date varies in some states and countries based upon the ideal tree-planting date there.
If you鈥檙e planning to plant a tree this spring, Herms suggests selecting a species that currently thrives (see ) as well as two zones warmer. For example, a homeowner in Zone 6 should seek out trees that are well-suited for Zones 6-8.
Your local cooperative extension office and some large arboretums with research divisions in your state may be able to offer further guidance on tree selection, as many are compiling data and formulating recommendations.
To reduce stress and help , dig a hole exactly as deep and twice as wide as the tree鈥檚 root ball. Incorporate a generous helping of compost into the backfill. Keep it well watered, especially during the first three years as it becomes established. Trees generally require 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall, supplemental irrigation or a combination, Herms said.
As the old saying goes, 鈥渢he best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today.鈥�
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Jessica Damiano writes regular gardening columns for The Associated Press. She publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. for weekly gardening tips and advice.
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Jessica Damiano, The Associated Press
