New England is roughly 75 percent forest. To the untrained eye, it looks good: lots of green.
But not to the trained eye. nyti.ms/2SBJ8kL
But not to the trained eye. nyti.ms/2SBJ8kL
As climate change accelerates, the trees in the Eastern U.S. are increasingly vulnerable.
Many arborists, which are akin to tree doctors, said they’re spending more time on tree removal than ever before — taking down dead or unhealthy trees, or trees damaged by storms.
Many arborists, which are akin to tree doctors, said they’re spending more time on tree removal than ever before — taking down dead or unhealthy trees, or trees damaged by storms.
Trees are stressed by drought, intense rain, rising temperatures, changing season length, air pollution and invasive plants choking or displacing them.
The list of threats is long and growing rapidly, which means that trees don’t have sufficient time to recover and adapt.
The list of threats is long and growing rapidly, which means that trees don’t have sufficient time to recover and adapt.
The range of some tree species is expected to shift north, following warming temperatures.
“What I have tried to do is brace for climate change and plant trees that are going to be more resilient for the future,” said one arborist.
“What I have tried to do is brace for climate change and plant trees that are going to be more resilient for the future,” said one arborist.
Some arborists have seen public knowledge about, and appreciation of, trees and forests grow in the last decade. But they say many people still don’t understand the importance of trees.
“It is important to cherish trees, even in their decline. They are our elders,” said an arborist who cares for trees in Connecticut.
Read more about how climate change is taking a toll on Northeastern woodlands here: nyti.ms/2SBJ8kL
Read more about how climate change is taking a toll on Northeastern woodlands here: nyti.ms/2SBJ8kL
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