Peter Castagno July 9, 2019

New research from the journal Science shows that reforestation could play a much larger role than previously anticipated in removing human-caused carbon emissions from the atmosphere. The scientists, who calculated how many trees could be planted without intruding on urban areas or agricultural areas, found results they described as “mind-blowing.”

“This new quantitative evaluation shows [forest] restoration isn’t just one of our climate change solutions, it is overwhelmingly the top one,” Professor Tom Crowther, a co-author of the study, told the Guardian. “What blows my mind is the scale. I thought restoration would be in the top 10, but it is overwhelmingly more powerful than all of the other climate change solutions proposed.”

Crowther’s team estimates that there are currently around 3 trillion trees in the world, which is about half the number that existed before human society. The researchers calculate that they could plant one trillion trees, which would soak up 205 billion metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere, for $300 billion dollars. Humans are believed to have released around 300 billion metric tons since the beginning of the industrial revolution, making mass reforestation capable of removing two-thirds of human emissions, according to the research.

“For a fraction of the cost of the Trump tax cuts, we could pay for a trillion new trees and offset 2/3rd of all emissions to date,” tweeted the Sunrise Movement. “We have solutions ready to go; we’re just missing the political will to act.”

Critics contend that planting trees is not a panacea to the multifaceted environmental crisis, as the full benefits of reforestation would take decades to manifest at a time of rapid extinction and increasing carbon emissions.

The acceleration of deforestation in Brazil, home to 60% of the Amazon rainforest, is the most significant driver in global deforestation. The rate of deforestation rose 88% in June 2019 as opposed to June 2018, a consequence of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s environmental policy. The Brazilian president denies climate change and holds close ties to the agribusiness sector.

But Bolsonaro cannot be entirely blamed for the rapid deforestation, as rainforest development is fueled by huge global demand for products like soy and beef in China and other countries. Some argue raising consumer awareness of deforestation would be a more effective strategy in defending the Amazon than focusing on Bolsonaro.

Other critics argue monoculture forests can be aesthetically displeasing and harmful to native wildlife. Ireland’s ambitious forestation efforts, for example, have inspired backlash from local communities who argue their government’s initiative represents a top-down effort without consideration for the unique needs of different areas.

“We’re not anti-trees, we’re anti-this,” Willie Stewart of Drumnadober, Ireland, told the Guardian. “It’s industrial monoculture – a green barrier all around us. It’s horrible.”

But while reforestation may not be a “silver bullet” in addressing the climate crisis, experts believe it could be an integral element of a broader strategy including reduced emissions and renewable energy.

Jean-François Bastin, a scientist involved in the study, said the new findings should impact public policy: “Governments must now factor [tree restoration] into their national strategies.”

Longleaf Pine trees are BETTER in several ways from an economic perspective as well:

1. EXCELLENT TIMBER QUALITY due to the tree’s wood density, straight form and consistent taper. Longleaf pine timber is a preferred species for use as utility line poles. 

2. HIGHER DISEASE RESISTANCE  Longleaf pine is typically more tolerant and has higher resistance to disease and insect infestations. This is due to its abundant pine resin production and longleaf pine’s genetic adaption to more aggressively ‘thin out’ other surrounding longleaf pines that are weaker or suppressed. This natural thinning process provides the vigorous and healthy longleaf pine trees more room to grow and avoid stagnant growth. 

3. LONGER LIVING TREES give you more options. Longleaf pine typically lives longer than other pine species. This longer time of growth allows a forest owner greater flexibility in deciding when to harvest the timber. While loblolly pine begins to stagnate and decline after age 50, many times longleaf pine growth remains consistent and may even add growth in later years if the stand is thinned.  

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Published September 04, 2015IndustriesAssociated Press

The towering grove of century-old longleaf pines surrounding Roger Ward's family home is a rare site in this verdant swath of north-central Florida — most pines here are cut and processed for profit as soon as their 15-to-18-year growth cycle is complete.

The demand for timber worldwide is booming and this remote section of Florida, along with other timber-growing regions of the southeastern U.S., are benefiting. Dozens of lumber mills and pine straw, bark and wood pellet processing plants have sprung up in north Florida to take advantage of the unique soil composition, lengthy growing season and warm, moist climate in which pine trees thrive.

In a state where undeveloped real estate quickly gives way to neighborhoods, strip malls, hotels or amusement parks, this timber-rich part of Florida is unique.

Ward jokes that the acres of tall pines constituted his college fund and his parents' 401k. The family's fortunes have long been linked to the rise and fall of the timber market.

"This is certainly one of the better times around here for timber," Ward said as he inspected a field of tree saplings on a recent afternoon.

Timber prices are rising as demand grows for timber used in building, paper products and biofuels worldwide. Prices for Florida saw pine peaked around 2005 — before the housing bust and the recession — at $40 a ton, according to Timber Mart-South, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization that tracks the timber industry. Prices fell to $21 a ton in 2011 but are now around $25 a ton and rising.

Thomas Mende, president of U.S. operations for the Austrian-based timber company Klausner, is another person banking on the southeast timber market. Mende's company recently invested $130 million in a new Suwanee County, Florida, timber mill, which ships pine boards to Asia, South America, Europe and beyond.

On the main road outside the mill, a billboard encourages locals to apply for jobs. Klausner currently employs 300 people here and hopes to hire about 50 more.

"What you have here is an ideal location where the trees grow fast, there is political stability, excellent infrastructure and a solid workforce," Mende said from his office, which overlooks acres of processed wood awaiting shipment.

In the American northwest and in Canada, some federal restrictions on foresting, longer growing cycles and problems with wood boring beetles have created supply issues and driven up costs, Mende and other experts said.

"Wood is being rediscovered as environmentally friendly," Mende said.

He points to major building projects, including a 10-story wood building recently built in Australia and a taller wood building in Austria. The buildings use massive wood panels up to 64 feet long and 8 feet wide.

The building trend is one of many factors fueling a steady increase in price of pine, said Sara Baldwin of Timber Mart-South.

"Certainly with the opening of a brand new mill in the middle of that region, I would say Florida pine is experiencing a resurgence," she said.

Nowadays Ward and his fellow Suwanee County farmers are turning to Brian Coble, the region's longtime state forestry manager, for his expertise on nurturing tree saplings to maturity and making sure they make the best use of their land. On a recent morning, Cobble and Ward waded through acres of waist-high saplings, assessing their health.

The fresh smell of dog fennel sprouts, also known as wild chamomile, permeated the muggy mid-morning air as gnats and mosquitos buzzed over the young trees.

Ward and Coble used a tape measure to help count the 31 saplings within a 26.3 foot radius or a 20th of an acre. Coble inspected saplings that weren't thriving to determine if they had bugs or were being smothered by the surrounding vegetation. He advised Ward to mow in some areas and use herbicide in others.

But as has often been the case in Florida, despite the growing demand for timber and rising prices, some in the area think the tree farms will eventually give way to development.

Timber expert Sara Baldwin said development, especially in Florida, frequently wins out over other land uses.

"Trees are not always the highest and best use of land and there are often economic pressures to develop," she said.

But Mende, of the Klausner mill, says trees, at least in the short term, are the region's future.

Ward agreed.

"It comes down to the math," he said. "If trees are the best return on investment available for the land, people will plant trees."