Gardening – Combatting climate change

We hear a lot about climate change these days and the effects are becoming noticeable, even in our daily living, with ever increasing temperatures breaking monthly and yearly records. I have to confess that as an aficionado of tropical climates and tropical plants, I have a little part of me that welcomes the higher temperatures – this summer has been just fantastic for plant growth!

However, the rational part of me understands that in years to come we are going to have to deal with less desirable side-effects, such as higher storm surges, more violent weather events and longer periods of drought and heatwaves. Recently I have seen several articles on planting trees to combat climate change, a very good one for those that are interested in going deeper into this subject is found at pureadvantage.org. The emphasis is on government or business embarking on major tree planting programmes; atmospheric carbon reduction being the main goal, with erosion control and watershed improvement being important side benefits.

I would love to see this taken a step further. Much of the productive land in this country is not under Government control or in corporate hands, but in private ownership – something in the order of close to two million homes! In my travels around the district I get to see a lot of gardens; some are huge, lavish affairs, others are cute and intimate, but many homes are surrounded by the bare minimum of plantings; maybe a hedge and a token tree or two, a few succulents and a potted plant by the front door. Just think for a moment if every home planted a tree or shrub this Arbor Day (June 5). That is an instant forest of two million trees! Plant two trees each, not a big ask and the forest doubles to four million trees!

Of course there are less desirable side-effects, but if you use a bit of common sense when buying and planting your trees, these can be largely avoided. Use deciduous trees away from gutters and on the northern side of homes, so they shade in summer and let light through in winter. Don’t plant huge-growing trees on small sections or on your neighbour’s boundary. Don’t plant trees near driveways drains and paths if they have invasive root systems. Use tidy evergreen shrubs if maintenance is going to be an issue, for example Camellia are great for rental properties or elderly folk. Plant shorter growing trees or shrubs where a view is important.

So instead of sitting at home fretting about global warming and how this will impact on your children and grandchildren, do something about it and get planting! We can all do our little bit.