One Tree to Reduce the Impact of One Hundred Actions

Living a Leave No Trace lifestyle is more simple than it seems. For example, planting and caring for a single tree to maturity is a major step in offsetting any lifestyle. In fact, the average mature tree removes around 50 pounds of carbon dioxide every year. But planting a tree does far more than that - the impact of a single tree might actually astonish you. One tree provides oxygen, removes CO2, increases biodiversity, cleans water, and stabilizes soils. Without trees, life would not be possible. Here’s why.

Cleaning the Air

Trees are natural carbon sinks, meaning they absorb and store carbon dioxide while creating oxygen. By planting a single tree in your yard, you could potentially offset the carbon footprint created by your car for one year, and provide oxygen to the surrounding environment.

Increasing Biodiversity

A single tree creates an entire ecosystem. It acts as an anchor to the surrounding elements and life by stabilizing the ground and controlling the distribution of water. Just one tree provides habitat for insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. As these creatures move throughout the area, they disburse seeds and can extend a single tree into a thriving forest. Essential to this process are pollinators such as butterflies and bees which also rely on the tree for survival, all playing into the circle of life.

Cleaning Water

Trees play a vital role in the water cycle, including keeping it clean. Rainwater runoff can carry pollutants and excess nutrients into nearby streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans, leading to heavy water pollution. Trees help reduce this as their leaves and branches intercept rainfall which reduces over-saturation or flooding. Additionally, the roots of a tree absorb and filter excess nutrients and harmful pollutants.

Stabilizing Soil While Keeping it Productive

Native trees also help stabilize the soil. They have deep roots that hold the soil in place, preventing erosion and nutrient loss while aiding in the prevention of landslides. Additionally, their fallen leaves and branches decompose into the soil, adding essential nutrients and organic matter, improving soil health and fertility.

As you can see, just one native tree creates a massive positve impact on the planet. You can make this positive impact possible by planting one single tree. Will you accept the challenge?

It is most certainly a privilege to have a yard to plant a tree in. Many do not have this opportunity but that doesn't mean you still cannot reduce your impact. Our next post will dive in how you can plant trees in more urban locations (where they are needed the most!).