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One of the real problems with tree planting is that humans don’t comprehend the lifetime of a tree intuitively - hence chopping down a heritage tree and replaci

One of the real problems with tree planting is that humans don’t comprehend the lifetime of a tree intuitively - hence chopping down a heritage tree and replacing with 10 saplings. It takes a couple of centuries for a tree to reach full maturity. At 100 years they’re adolescent. Combine this with our lack of appreciation for the “network effects” of forests and we are exceptionally neglectful of these incredible life forms. Highly, highly recommend the book The Hidden Life of Trees

lclarkmichalek 7y ago
I mean, that heavily depends on the kind of tree. London’s plane trees should have a very long lifespan, but at the moment the oldest will be around 300 years old, and most nowhere near that. For things like silver birch, the life expectancy is firmly under 100 years.
Amygaz 7y ago
That isn't true at all. Trees become mature at different rates, which also depends on climate. In temperate climate with sub-zero winter, a fast growing species, like poplar trees and spruces, will take 10 years to start producing flower. And while a yellow poplar lives on average 250 years, the hybrid poplar live 50 years. White spruce easily live pass 300 years, while black spruce seldom reach 300 years. Edit: network effect has nothing to do with a tree maturation or lifespan, but everything to do with creating an ecosystem. A single row of trees in the city creates an local ecosystem. The Houston medical area is a good example of that: https://news.rice.edu/2019/09/06/pain-in-the-asp-rice-ecologists-find-bird-deterring-nets-create-haven-for-stinging-pests/ https://news.rice.edu/2019/09/06/pain-in-the-asp-rice-ecolog...
pvaldes 7y ago
Depends on the tree species, but the general idea is understandable. For a city avoiding the pressure to prune to death would save a lot in replacement expenses. Workers of course will push to prune as much as possible (they bill each time), and often will kill old trees for this

lclarkmichalek 7y ago

I mean, that heavily depends on the kind of tree. London’s plane trees should have a very long lifespan, but at the moment the oldest will be around 300 years old, and most nowhere near that. For things like silver birch, the life expectancy is firmly under 100 years.

Amygaz 7y ago

That isn't true at all. Trees become mature at different rates, which also depends on climate. In temperate climate with sub-zero winter, a fast growing species, like poplar trees and spruces, will take 10 years to start producing flower. And while a yellow poplar lives on average 250 years, the hybrid poplar live 50 years. White spruce easily live pass 300 years, while black spruce seldom reach 300 years. Edit: network effect has nothing to do with a tree maturation or lifespan, but everything to do with creating an ecosystem. A single row of trees in the city creates an local ecosystem. The Houston medical area is a good example of that: https://news.rice.edu/2019/09/06/pain-in-the-asp-rice-ecologists-find-bird-deterring-nets-create-haven-for-stinging-pests/ https://news.rice.edu/2019/09/06/pain-in-the-asp-rice-ecolog...

pvaldes 7y ago

Depends on the tree species, but the general idea is understandable. For a city avoiding the pressure to prune to death would save a lot in replacement expenses. Workers of course will push to prune as much as possible (they bill each time), and often will kill old trees for this