Fighting heat with trees.

We look into the future. What kind of future do we see? I imagine doing something good for the climate and planting trees. What do trees have to do with the climate? And where can trees be planted? Trees are effective protection against heat. True or false? That is why forest fires are not only unpleasant, but must be avoided at all costs. Trees are our only allies in the fight against climate change, not only processing the CO₂ content in the atmosphere, but also transforming it into oxygen. That is why planting trees is an active form of climate protection.

Can anyone plant trees? Yes, they can – if they are willing to learn. Because you need to know exactly which trees to plant in order to have success. ECO123 has purchased a plot of land in Monchique where our magazine’s botanical forest garden is being created. But that’s not all. We also grow our own trees. This means we have set up a small tree nursery where we plant trees from seeds. So, we need to know how to grow a cork-oak or a Monchique oak (quercus canariensis) from an acorn.

We don’t just plant trees, we also help them to grow: lime trees, umbrella pines, walnut trees and many other species. We distinguish between slow-growing and fast-growing tree species. We discuss the different tree species and create the appropriate infrastructure: what type of soil does the tree need? This is because we have both very rich black soil, which provides plenty of nutrients, and very stony, nutrient-poor soil. (There are even tree species that can transform nutrient-poor soil into rich soil. Do you know which tree species I am referring to?) Not every tree grows equally well everywhere. Finding the right location for the right tree is one of the most important aspects in creating a mixed forest. This is because we reject monocultures. We protect our tree plantations against forest fires, pests such as bark beetles and the invasive tree species that repeatedly try to take over our botanical forest garden: acacia and eucalyptus.

Can you imagine planting a tree? I was once asked what I get in return. “Shade,” was my answer. Oxygen. Every tree purifies the groundwater through its roots. A healthy forest therefore filters our water. We will soon be installing benches so that visitors can sit in our garden and linger there, resting and enjoying the new forest. A mountain stream flows through the middle of the garden and cascades gently down into the valley. A healthy forest provides therapy for anyone suffering from stress. In the forest, I get the best ideas and the inspiration for my stories describing life. You are welcome to visit us on Saturdays by appointment. We will show you how we protect the new forest against forest fires with our self-designed WetNet sprinkler system. Because, in times of climate change, ensuring that forests remain intact is part of the solution to the problem. With this in mind, I look into the future. These are beautiful prospects, aren’t they?

Write to me at: editor@eco123.info