Branford Tree Plantings Offset Carbon Emissions: Officials

Information submitted via the office of the Branford First Selectman:

Trees are immensely beneficial to our suburban and urban spaces, delivering many benefits to both humans and the planet. Beyond providing the very air that we breathe, trees play significant roles in managing stormwater runoff, improving people’s mental and physical health, cooling urban centers, addressing pollution, and providing wildlife habitat, to name a few. Through ecosystem services and impacts on the local economy, trees provide substantial economic benefits and a high return on investment. Despite the importance of trees, urban tree cover continues to decline nationwide.

The Branford Community Forest Commission in collaboration with the Department of Public Works plants approximately 50 trees each year on town property or road rights-of-way. During 2022, 54 native trees were planted, including swamp white oak, American linden, red maple, and black gum. Over their lifetimes these trees have the potential to remove about 665 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offsetting the carbon dioxide emissions produced by about 45 people during a single year (see bit.ly/US-CO2).

You can help by planting trees. Scientists recommend that neighborhoods and urban areas should strive to achieve a canopy cover of about 30% and that three trees should be visible from every home. Consider planting a native tree in your yard. Lists of native trees appropriate for landscaping have been developed to assist landowners in process (see bit.ly/CT_native_trees).