Roger: 0:02

Talking Trees with Lillian Jadd. Welcome to today's episode of Talking Trees. Today, we're diving into a fascinating study that examines the carbon footprint of urban trees, from their propagation to their removal. Using Life Cycle Assessment, lca, this research evaluates the impact of various tree care practices on CO2 emissions. The study reveals that mechanized tree care methods increase the carbon footprint, while manual and less mechanized approaches reduce it. Focusing on the red maple, the research assesses the carbon neutrality of trees in different urban environments. Join us as we explore these insights and their implications for sustainable urban forestry. Stay tuned.

Jad: 0:51

Okay, so you know how we all think. Planting a tree is like the ultimate good deed for the planet, right? Well, get ready to have your mind blown, because today we're doing a deep dive on the real environmental impact of trees especially those in urban areas, and we've got a super interesting research study that really dug deep. They analyzed like the entire life cycle of a city tree to see how green it really is.

Lilly: 1:18

What's really cool about this study is that they didn't just stop at you know how much carbon the tree absorbs. They didn't just stop at you know how much carbon the tree absorbs they use this method called life cycle assessment, or LCA for short, to really calculate the environmental cost of every single stage of a tree's life.

Jad: 1:33

I am intrigued already. So what all did they take into account?

Lilly: 1:36

Okay. So think about it like this Imagine you're trying to figure out the environmental footprint of, say, a T-shirt. You wouldn't just look at the cotton and the sewing right, you'd have to think about all the resources it took to grow that cotton, the emissions from shipping it all over the place, the energy used in the factory. I mean, they're all connected.

Jad: 1:53

Wow yeah, that makes total sense. So they applied that same idea to a tree.

Lilly: 1:57

Exactly. They looked at everything from growing that little sapling in the nursery to transporting it, planting it, watering it, pruning it over the years, even all the way to removing it and disposing of at the very end.

Jad: 2:11

It's like a whole tree biography.

Lilly: 2:13

It is, and they even made this amazing diagram where you can actually see how each stage adds to the overall impact.

Jad: 2:20

Hold on, let me pull that up. Okay, yeah, this mind-blowing. I never would have thought about the environmental cost of hauling away branches after a pruning, but now that you mention it, yeah, of course that takes energy and fuel.

Lilly: 2:32

Right, and that's just one piece of it. One of the most surprising things they found was that all the maintenance a tree needs, especially in those early years, can actually release more carbon than the tree absorbs during that time.

Jad: 2:44

Okay, really, you mean, like all the pruning and fertilizing, even just driving around to check on them? That's adding to the problem.

Lilly: 2:50

Yeah, it can really add up. They found that in those first few years, maintenance can release up to 25% more carbon than the tree absorbs. It's mainly because of all those gas guzzling trucks and equipment they use. Wow, I think most people, myself included, would assume planting a tree is always a net positive, but it sounds like it's a lot more complicated than that.

Jad: 3:13

It definitely is, and here's another layer of complexity the type of tree you plant. That makes a huge difference in this whole carbon equation too.

Lilly: 3:21

Okay, so some trees are greener than others. Tell me more.

Jad: 3:24

This study looks specifically at red maple Acer rubrum. If you want to get fancy.

Lilly: 3:28

Oh yeah, I see those everywhere.

Jad: 3:30

They're very popular for urban landscapes but I guess maybe not the most eco-friendly if it takes them a while to soak up all that carbon.

Lilly: 3:37

The study found it takes a red maple about 33 years to become carbon neutral 33 years.

Jad: 3:44

That's way longer than I would guess.

Lilly: 3:49

Right, that means it takes that long for it to have absorbed more carbon than was emitted during its whole life cycle, from nursery to disposal.

Jad: 3:55

I'm assuming there are some faster growing trees out there.

Lilly: 3:57

Oh yeah, absolutely. There are other types of maples that can reach that carbon neutral point in half the time.

Jad: 4:03

Okay, so why aren't we planting those everywhere? What's the downside?

Lilly: 4:06

Well, there's almost always a trade-off. Those faster growing trees, they often have weaker wood.

Jad: 4:15

Oh, more maintenance. It's like a vicious cycle.

Lilly: 4:17

Exactly. They might need more frequent pruning, more support to keep them from breaking, and that all adds to the carbon footprint in the long run.

Jad: 4:25

So it's not as simple as just picking the fastest growing tree. Got to think long term.

Lilly: 4:30

Right. So this brings up a really important question what does the ideal scenario look like? What are the most sustainable ways to care for these trees?

Jad: 4:38

That's what I want to know. Lay some wisdom on us.

Lilly: 4:41

Well, the study had some really good recommendations. One of the biggest takeaways was Lay some wisdom on us. Well, the study had some really good recommendations. One of the biggest takeaways was choose the right planting location from the start.

Jad: 4:56

If you can minimize how much pruning a tree needs by giving it plenty of space. That's a huge win right there. So don't cram it into some tiny spot where it's going to be bumping into buildings or power lines forever.

Lilly: 5:02

Exactly, you're just setting yourself up for more maintenance and more emissions down the road. Got it Well, the tools we use are a big factor too.

Jad: 5:09

So like should I be breaking out the hand pruners instead of the chainsaw?

Lilly: 5:14

You know, I think that's a great way to think about it. Opting for manual labor and hand tools whenever possible, of course can make a surprisingly big difference in reducing emissions.

Jad: 5:25

Okay, I like it. It's all about being more mindful at every step, from picking the right tree to choosing the right tools.

Lilly: 5:32

Exactly. It's about making those conscious choices.

Jad: 5:35

So what else should we be thinking about when it comes to keeping things sustainable?

Lilly: 5:39

Well, this study focused on red maple, but there's a whole world of other tree species out there.

Jad: 5:43

That's true, spill the beans. What are some of those alternative tree species?

Lilly: 5:49

Well, before we get into specifics, it's important to remember that there's no one size fits all answer. The best choice for you is going to depend on your local climate, your soil conditions, even how much space you have. But this study really highlighted something important no matter where you live, choose trees that are going to do well in their environment, so you don't have to be constantly babying them.

Jad: 6:12

Makes sense. So less intervention means fewer emissions.

Lilly: 6:16

Yeah, exactly, it's a more holistic approach. And speaking of holistic, remember how we talked about the study focusing on red maple.

Jad: 6:22

Yeah.

Lilly: 6:23

That was just one piece of the puzzle.

Jad: 6:24

Yeah.

Lilly: 6:25

They also got data from real life arborists and urban forest managers in the Chicago area to see what they typically do.

Jad: 6:33

So they weren't just working with theories, they actually talked to the people who were taking care of these trees every day.

Lilly: 6:37

Exactly. They wanted to see what the real world carbon footprint looks like for typical urban forestry operations and I got to say they really got into the nitty gritty details.

Jad: 6:46

Like what kind of stuff?

Lilly: 6:48

Oh, they factored in everything transporting the trees, getting rid of branches, even the emissions from making the tools and equipment. It's all part of the equation.

Jad: 6:58

Wow, I wouldn't have even thought about some of that stuff. Like I see a tree getting planted and I just assume it's a good thing, but there's so much more to it.

Lilly: 7:06

Exactly, and that's what I appreciate about this LCA approach it makes us look at the whole picture, not just the parts we want to see.

Jad: 7:14

I was especially surprised by the impact of the equipment.

Lilly: 7:16

Yeah, me too. I mean I knew gas powered tools weren't great for the environment, but seeing the numbers laid out like that, it really shows how much of a difference it could make.

Jad: 7:26

Yeah, the study found that just by using those lighter duty trucks and opting for manual labor as much as possible, they could significantly reduce emissions.

Lilly: 7:35

Right. Of course, there are times when you need those heavy duty tools, especially when you're dealing with big trees. Safety first. Of course, but I think this research challenges us to at least consider those alternatives.

Jad: 7:48

So, before we fire up the chainsaw, maybe take a minute to think is there a less carbon intensive way to do this?

Lilly: 7:56

Exactly. Could we get the same result with hand tools or maybe some creative problem solving?

Jad: 8:01

I like that Be more mindful and intentional.

Lilly: 8:04

Right.

Jad: 8:05

It might also mean investing in new tools and training for the people who are actually out there doing this work.

Lilly: 8:10

That's a great point. We need to teach them how to be more efficient and sustainable.

Jad: 8:15

I'm also thinking about the money side of things. Manual labor is usually more expensive than using machines. So how do we make these sustainable practices more affordable?

Lilly: 8:24

That's a really good question. It's definitely complicated, but I think we have to consider the cost of climate change too. If we can cut emissions now by investing in these more sustainable practices, it could save us a lot of money and trouble down the line.

Jad: 8:39

So it's not just an environmental issue, it's an economic one too. Got to find that balance between the short-term costs and the long-term benefits.

Lilly: 8:47

You got it, and that's where communication and collaboration are so important. We need to be talking to everyone about this Policymakers, city planners, even everyday citizens, about the value of doing urban forestry the right way.

Jad: 8:59

You know this study focused on the Chicago area, but how much of this applies to other parts of the world?

Lilly: 9:04

That's a great question and it's important to think about, because urban forestry practices they can be totally different depending on where you are, the climate, the types of trees, local regulations, all kinds of stuff. We can't assume that what works in Chicago is going to work everywhere else.

Jad: 9:21

So maybe the specific data isn't always transferable, but are there some general principles we can apply?

Lilly: 9:27

Absolutely. One of the big takeaways and this is relevant everywhere is to be really thoughtful when you're planning, choosing the right tree for the right spot. That could dramatically reduce how much maintenance you need later on, and that means fewer emissions. It's about being proactive and thinking long-term.

Jad: 9:45

It's like buying a car. You wouldn't buy a gas guzzler if you're trying to be eco-friendly.

Lilly: 9:54

Same goes for trees. Great analogy we got to choose wisely from the start and then, once those trees are in the ground, it's about finding that balance between getting things done efficiently and doing them sustainably.

Jad: 10:01

So always be evaluating our methods and looking for ways to reduce waste.

Lilly: 10:05

Exactly. It's a constant process of learning and improving. And that brings me to another important point. This study really highlighted the need for more research.

Jad: 10:15

I can see that this was just one study focusing on red maple in one specific area. There's so much more we could explore.

Lilly: 10:21

Totally. We need more data on all sorts of different tree species, different management techniques and how urban forestry practices vary in different regions. Just imagine the possibilities we could be planting entire urban forests that are not only beautiful and functional, but also incredibly efficient at storing carbon.

Jad: 10:42

I'm getting excited just thinking about it. So it's not just about planting more trees. It's about planting the right trees in the right way and taking care of them sustainably throughout their whole lives.

Lilly: 10:51

You nailed it it's about seeing the bigger picture and understanding that trees are so much more than just decorations. They're a vital part of the urban ecosystem.

Jad: 11:00

Okay, we've covered a lot of ground here. We've talked about the hidden costs of tree care, the importance of choosing the right species, the role of equipment, even the need for more research. And for those of us who want to make a difference in our own yards and gardens, what are some things we can do?

Lilly: 11:16

Well, we talked about choosing native tree species earlier. That's a great place to start. Do some research, talk to your local nursery and find trees that are naturally going to thrive where you live.

Jad: 11:27

So it's all about working with nature, not against it nursery and find trees that are naturally going to thrive where you live.

Lilly: 11:29

So it's all about working with nature, not against it, exactly, and it'll probably save you a lot of trouble and extra work in the long run.

Jad: 11:34

And what about that tip about planting location? Does that apply in my own yard too?

Lilly: 11:38

Absolutely. Before you plant, think about where that tree is going to have room to grow without needing constant pruning or getting tangled up with power lines.

Jad: 11:46

It's all about planning ahead.

Lilly: 11:48

Exactly Minimize those future interventions.

Jad: 11:51

Got it. And what about the tools we use? Should I be ditching my gas-powered leaf blower and chainsaw and going totally old school?

Lilly: 12:00

You know, I wouldn't say ditch them completely. Sometimes those power tools are the best option, but it's definitely worth considering those manual alternatives whenever you can.

Jad: 12:10

Yeah, it's a good way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Lilly: 12:12

And maybe even get a little workout in.

Jad: 12:14

Two birds one stone. But seriously, it's amazing how these small choices can add up when you think about how many people are out there taking care of their yards and planting trees.

Lilly: 12:26

It really is. It's about shifting our mindset from seeing trees as just decorations to recognizing them as vital partners in creating a healthier, more sustainable world.

Jad: 12:37

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by all this information, but also really motivated, knowing what we know now. We can't just sit back and do nothing.

Lilly: 12:45

Exactly, and the good news is there's so much we can do both as individuals and as communities.

Jad: 12:51

Like supporting those local organizations, planting a tree in our yard, speaking up for more green spaces, even just talking to our friends and neighbors about all this.

Lilly: 12:59

Right, every little bit helps.

Jad: 13:01

I think we've given our listeners a lot to chew on today. Next time you see a tree, don't just admire it. Think about its whole story, from tiny seedling to wise old giant, and think about the impact of your choices. Every action we take, no matter how, small can help create a healthier more sustainable future for all of us. So true, and that's a wrap on this deep dive into the world of urban forestry. We'll be back next week with another fascinating topic, so be sure to tune in. Until then, happy planting everyone.

Roger: 13:33

Thank you for joining us as we explored the carbon footprint of urban trees and the impact of different care practices. Understanding these insights is crucial for promoting sustainable urban forestry and reducing our environmental impact. If you found this episode informative, please share our podcast with your friends and leave us a review. Your support helps us continue to bring you valuable insights into the world of trees. Until next time, stay curious and keep advocating for a greener future. See you in the next episode of Talking Trees.